Hashim Amla made a maiden one-day international century as South Africa beat Bangladesh by 128 runs in the second one-day international at Willowmoore Park Sunday.
Opening batsman Amla struck an elegant 140 off 134 balls as South Africa slammed 358 for four, their highest total in a one-day game against Bangladesh.
The tourists replied with 230 all out as South Africa took a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal thrashed 41 off 22 balls at the start of the Bangladesh innings but the rest of the Bangladesh batsmen, with the exception of Junaid Siddique (47) struggled against South Africa’s pace-based attack.
Amla shared in century partnerships with captain Graeme Smith (65) and Jacques Kallis (49).
It was a successful return for Smith, who was playing in his first match since returning from a tour of England in August because of a tennis elbow injury.
Smith and Amla set the foundation for South Africa’s big total with a first wicket stand of 136 after Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful won the toss and sent the home side in, hoping to take advantage of overcast conditions and the possibility of rain later.
Smith looked in good form and showed no ill effects from his injury as he made his 65 off 67 balls with six fours and a six.
Both batsmen were dropped, Amla on 15 and Smith on 54, as Bangladesh’s fielding fell below the standard they achieved in Potchefstroom Friday when they were beaten by 61 runs in the first game of the three-match series.
Amla took full advantage of a let-off by Mashrafe Mortaza at deep backward square leg off Syed Rasel.
Regarded as a Test match specialist before replacing Smith in the last two one-day internationals in England, Amla produced an array of classic strokes in the early overs and showed the ability to hit out later on. He hit eight fours and four sixes.
The left-handed Tamim Iqbal (19) blazed away at the start of Bangladesh’s innings, hitting four boundaries in Johann Louw’s first over, then hitting Steyn for two fours and a hooked six in the next over.
It was too good to last, however, and he tried one big shot too many, top-edging a hook off Steyn to square leg.
Siddique also started aggressively but became tied down before he was leg before to off-spinner Johan Botha for 47 off 80 balls. Botha and Steyn took three wickets each for South Africa. – AFP
