The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

South Africa clinched the ODI series 2-0 when the Proteas defeated the Tigers by seven wickets in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Earlier, South Africa outclassed Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first ODI at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on March 9.

Coin-favoured Bangladesh made a disastrous start as the hosts lost their early four wickets for only 18 runs.

Andre Nel gave his team early breakthrough as he removed openers Tamim Iqbal(0), Shahriar Nafees (5) and one down Mohammad Ashraful for a duck.

Andre Nel, who harpooned three wickets for 24 runs in the first ODI, finished yesterday as 10-2-27-4.

Youngsters Raqibul Hassan and Shakib Al Hasan saved their team from shameful debacle as they built a record 119-run partnership in the fifth wicket stand before Raqibul Hassan was caught at the mid-on by Graeme Smith off Charl Langeveldt making his team's highest of 63 when the scoreboard was giving a reading of 137 for the loss of five wickets. Raqibul Hassan hit four boundaries in his 105-ball innings.

Shakib Al Hasan knocked a patient 52 off 96 balls amid four fours. Most of Bangladesh batsmen threw away their wickets hopelessly. Thus the hosts were skittled out for 173 of 48.2 overs.

Charl Langeveldt, the other notable wickettaker for South Africa grabbed three wickets giving away 31 runs.

Needing 173 runs to win, South Africa coasted home making 179 for the loss of three wickets in 48.1 overs.

South Africa made a poor start as they lost their early three wickets for 60 runs. Medium pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and spinner Abdur Razzak did that job for Bangladesh. But later, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy salvaged their team and contributing together 119 runs in the unbroken fourth-wicket stand.

AB de Villiers, the wicketkeeper-batsman of South Africa, knocked a brilliant 69 (not out) playing 112 deliveries with two fours and a six.

JP Duminy was deprived from a half century for just one run. He remained undefeated with a chanceless 49 off 93 balls.

Abdur Razzak bagged a pair of wickets for 31 runs while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took one wicket at the cost of 27 runs.

Tomorrow Bangladesh will face South Africa in the third ODI at the same venue.