AB at his best, SA canter to victory

PAARL, October 18 

A swashbuckling century from AB de Villiers secured a 104-run victory for South Africa over Bangladesh and sealed the three-match series in the second One-day International here today. De Villiers smashed his highest ODI score of 176 from 104 balls as South Africa posted 353/6, before restricting the visitors to 249 all out in 47.5 overs in their reply.

De Villiers was involved in a third wicket partnership of 136 with Hashim Amla (85 from 92 balls) and 117 for the fourth with JP Duminy (30 from 30 balls) as he thumped 15 fours and seven sixes, making batting look easy on a slow wicket. He was eventually caught at deep midwicket by Sabbir Rahman off the bowling of Rubel Hossain having looked on course for a double ton.

Bangladesh made a good start to their reply as Imrul Kayes (68 from 77 balls) and Mushfiqur Rahim (60 from 70 balls) tried to keep up with the rate, but were strangled by career-best figures from seamer Andile Phehlukwayo (4/40) and the wily spin of Imran Tahir (3/50). — Reuters

Brief scores: SA 353/6 (De Villiers 176, Amla 85; Rubel 4/62); Bangladesh 249 (Imrul 68, Mushfiqur 60, Phehlukwayo 4/40, Tahir 3/50)