Rabada, De Kock star in series-levelling win for South Africa

Quinton de Kock got South Africa off to a flying start in their chase of 195 to win, smashing a fifty in just 26 balls to kill the game off in the Powerplay. Once he was dismissed, Kyle Verreynne took over the mantle of the innings and finished with an unbeaten half-century as the Proteas levelled the series 1-1.

The victory helped South Africa jump a spot in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League table where they now occupy the ninth spot with 49 points. Bangladesh still remain on top with 110 points.

Earlier in the day, Kagiso Rabada ran through the Bangladesh batting order, getting wickets upfront and in the death to complete his second ODI five-for. His fiery spell restricted Bangladesh to just 194/9 in their 50 overs.

Needing to win the game to level the series, South Africa rang in three changes to the side that lost the first ODI. Quinton de Kock, Wayne Parnell and Tabraiz Shamsi were drafted into the playing XI for Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Andile Phehlukwayo. Bangladesh remained unchanged.

After winning and choosing to bowl first, Bangladesh found themselves in a lot of trouble early on. In hot and sunny conditions in Johannesburg, South African pacers showed some fire of their own in the early exchange. Both Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada extracted some extra bounce off the surface to trouble the batters. In consecutive overs, they got the prized scalps of Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan respectively.

Rabada used the short ball effectively in his extended opening spell of seven overs and reaped rewards with the wickets of Liton Das and Yasir Shah. Parnell, playing just his second ODI since 2017, struck in his second over to trap Mushfiqur Rahim leg before wicket, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 34/5.

Staring down the barrel at this point, Bangladesh needed somebody to stand up and Afif Hossain answered the call. He smashed Rabada for two boundaries in the same over to make his intentions clear. At the other end, he had the experienced Mahmud Ullah, who was happy to play second fiddle initially before teeing off himself.

Both batters looked set and even brought up their 50-run stand before Mahmud Ullah fell for the leg-slip trap set by Tabraiz Shamsi. Hossain got a reprieve in the very next over as Keshav Maharaj dropped a return catch and he made full use of the lifeline, bringing up his second half-century in ODIs.

At the other end, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was striking the ball well and together, they stitched an 86-run stand for the seventh wicket. Rabada, bowling his last overs, snared both the batters to complete his five-for. Bangladesh finished the innings at a respectable 194/9.

In reply, the returning De Kock looked in a hurry to finish the game. After a quiet first three overs, he smashed two fours and a six off Taskin Ahmed to get the ball rolling. The introduction of spin didn't slow him down as he raced off to his 28th ODI fifty off just 26 in the 8th over.

There was finally some respite for Bangladesh as Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the opening stand in the 13th over by getting rid of Janneman Malan. Quinton de Kock followed his fellow opener back to the pavilion a few overs later, courtesy of a brilliant boundary catch by Afif Hossain.

With South Africa still 101 runs away from a win, Bangladesh smelled blood but Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne batted smartly to ensure more wickets don't fall. Both the batters took a liking to the pace of Taskin Ahmed, smashing him for two sixes and two fours in consecutive overs.

Afif Hossain's brilliant day in the field continued as he scalped Bavuma but it was all too late in the end. Verreynne brought up his fourth ODI fifty and along with Rassie van der Dussen, took the Proteas to a win with seven wickets and 76 balls to spare.