De Villiers the 'destroyer' smashes highest ODI score to lead South Africa to series win over Bangladesh

Proteas took an unassailable 2-0 series lead at Boland Park with a 104-run victory over the visitors.

AB de Villiers will compete in the Pakistan Super League for the first time with Lahore Qalandars. AFP

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 (ODI) at Boland Park on Wednesday.

De Villiers smashed his highest ODI score of 176 from 104 balls as South Africa posted 353-6 in their 50 overs having been asked to bat.

The hosts then restricted 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). He thumped 15 fours and seven sixes to make 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 hundred.

“I enjoyed it a lot. It’s a great privilege and honour to play for the country and this was the cherry on top after the hard work I’ve done in the last few months,” De Villiers, 33, said.

“The 200 crossed my mind but I never think about things like that, it was only about how many balls I face at the end and get as much as possible for the team.”

Bangladesh made a good start to their reply as Imrul Kayes struck 68 from 77 balls and Mushfiqur Rahim hit 60 from 70 balls to keep up with the rate.

But Bangladesh were eventually strangled by career best figures from seamer Andile Phehlukwayo who claimed 4-40 and the wily spin of Imran Tahir who took three wickets for 50 runs.

“AB came and took the game away from us,” Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said. “We all know AB is a destroyer and today he played one of his best innings. When he’s in that sort of form, you have to be 100 per cent perfect. He’ll punish you otherwise and that’s what happened.”

With the series wrapped up, South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis said there will be changes to the team for the final ODI.

“It was a very good performance again. AB was special today,” Du Plessis said. “I thought we were very good with the ball on a very good wicket. We are definitely going to look at giving guys opportunities in the next game - not only guys in the squad but outside as well.

The final match of the series will be played in East London on Sunday.