At pain and angst for their loss in the opening one-dayer, SA gave a ruthless performance in their victory in the second ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh on March 20. The Proteas came out triumphant by seven wickets in a one-sided contest to level the rubber 1-1, with a decider left.
The lethal pace and hostility of Kagiso Rabada proved too good for Bangladesh at the Wanderers as he bagged astonishing figures of five for 39 off his 10 overs and allowed his team to restrict the tourists for only 194/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
The wrath unleashed by South Africa’s spearhead was too hot to handle for the Asian Tigers, who had done an admirable job in nullifying his effect in the series opener but couldn’t withstand his pace and skill on this occasion.
Rabada was ably supported at the task by fellow pacer Lungi Ngidi (1/34) and wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi (1/26) in their miserly spells, as the duo gave a total of 60 runs off the 20 overs between them.
Things could easily have been worse for Bangladesh, who were reduced to an embarrassing score of 35 for five at one stage. It took two fighting efforts from lower-order batters Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan for Bangladesh to reach near the 200-mark and play out their entire 50 overs.
While Hossain recorded a fantastic knock of 72 off 107 deliveries, including nine fours, Hasan fought his way through to a 38 off 49. But the ground conceded early in the innings was so much that even the Hossain-Hasan duo couldn’t revive the visitors.
In a straightforward run-chase, the Proteas reached home with more than 12 overs remaining in the innings. Wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock top-scored with a 62, while No.3 Kyle Verreynne made an unbeaten 58 to push his team to an easy victory.
Brief scores
Bangladesh 194/9 in 50 overs (Hossain 72, Hasan 38; Rabada 5/39) lost to South Africa 195/3 in 50 overs (De Kock 62, Verreynne 58*; Al Hasan 1/33) by 7 wickets
