SA vs BAN 2nd ODI: South Africa's dominant display leads to 7 wicket victory

With this victory, they have leveled the series after a shocking defeat at the hand of the visitors in Game 1. A thrilling decider at Centurion is set for March 23 in a day/night match.

Kagiso Rabada destroyed the Bangladesh batting line-up

South Africa was in the game from the very first ball. With the new ball, the South African pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada destroyed the best batsman Bangladesh had on a small total of 34 in 12.4 overs.

However, Afif Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz ensured that they took their team to a total that can be coined as a respectable score. With only five overs to go, the 86 runs partnership between the duo ended when Afif departed at 72.

Bangladesh finished their inning at 194. After their commanding start, South Africa conceded a few too many but was happy chasing less than 200 in a must-win match.

The star of this inning was Kagiso Rabada, as he was at his best when he picked up his 2nd five-fer against Bangladesh (the first one came in 2015). After getting the man of the match award, he shared what aggressive means for him: "You try to keep it as simple as possible.

"We can't just go all-out aggressive, and it's important to rely on your tactics. To rely on them and execute it is what we see as aggression and not bowling short."

The assault by de Kock on bowlers in the Powerplay

South Africa chased down the target quickly with the help of a brutal attack from Quinton de Kock in Powerplay on Bangladesh bowlers. The first wicket only of South Africa fell on 86 after 12.3 overs. (Half of the Bangladesh team was in the dugout by this time during their inning at just 34). Just saying. 

Bangladesh managed to get rid of both openers in quick succession, but a mature stand between Captain Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne made sure that South Africa quickly got their target. They chased the target in 37.2 overs, losing 3 wickets.

A half-century from Quinton De Kock and Kyle Verreynne, along with a 5-wicket haul for Kagiso Rabada, brought back a glorious victory that has boosted the team's confidence.

Temba Bavuma, Captain South Africa, said - "Resilience is a big thing for us. We need to begin a series well, and it's not good to begin it with a match down. From a resilience point of view, I will take it.

"The guys sort of convinced me to bowl. Fortunately, the bowlers up front did a good job and we were not put under pressure.

"The new ball could've been tough but Quinny (de Kock) saw it differently. These conditions are different from Centurion, which is a lot truer. We will take forward the confidence and momentum from this game into the final game."

In hindsight, Bangladesh would've been better off bowling than batting after winning the toss. It's all to play for in the final ODI of the series on Wednesday 23 March 2022, which will be a day-night match at Centurion.