South Africa openers Quniton De Kock and Hashim Alma slammed unbeaten centuries as the Proteas registered a record-breaking 10-wicket win against Bangladesh in the first ODI at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Sunday.
Chasing a more than fighting target of 279, De Kock and Amla made short work of it as the hosts cross the line with as many as 43 balls to spare. By doing so, the duo set a new record of the highest chase in ODIs, without losing a single wickets.
De Kock and Amla surpassed the record set by England last year, when their openers chased down 256 against Sri Lanka at Birmingham. Also, this is just the 8th instance when a team has chased down a target of 200+ in ODIs, without losing a wicket.
Earlier, Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladesh batsman to score a century against South Africa to spur his team to power Bangladesh to 278 for seven, their highest total against South Africa.
The previous highest score by a Bangladesh batsman in any form of international cricket against South Africa was 90 by Soumya Sarkar in a one-day international in Chittagong in 2015, while Bangladesh’s previous highest total against the hosts was 251 for eight when they won a World Cup match in Guyana in 2007.
Mushfiqur's fifth one-day century was a timely boost for a touring team battered to heavy defeats in two Test matches and who were hit by the absence through injury of two key players, opening batsman Tamim Iqbal and left-arm opening bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Mushfiqur made his runs off 116 balls with 11 fours and two sixes. He shared successive partnerships of 59 with Shakib Al Hasan (29), 69 with Mahmudullah (26) and 42 with Sabbir Rahman (19) for the third, fourth and fifth wickets.
Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa's bowling attack, taking three for 43. Dwaine Pretorius took two for 48 but debutant fast bowler Dane Paterson conceded 69 runs in nine overs.
With this comprehensive win, the hosts have taken a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series, with the second ODI to be played at the Bolland Park on October 18.