adminover Bangladesh in the second match of the Pran RFL Triangular series at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
His 88 off 53 balls was the cornerstone of South Africa’s punishing total of 209/3 in their allotted 20 overs, after he had won the toss and elected to bat.
Bangladesh, who lost the first match by 11 runs to Zimbabwe on Sunday, could only manage 170/8 in response.
The Proteas brought a relatively strong squad for this series and underlined their supremacy with a polished performance as they prepare to face hosts Zimbabwe in their second match this afternoon.
Amla opened the batting with Richard Levi (37) and the partnership got off on a high tempo in a 70-run stand for the first wicket.
However, the progress was stopped when Levi returned the catch to Ziaur Rahman (1-28) after 6.2 overs.
Levi scored 37 runs off 21 balls, with two sixes and six fours.
Amla held on and got more assistance from Colin Ingram (29), Albie Morkel (22) and JP Duminy (23) on their way to a huge total that proved too much for the Bangladeshis to chase.
Amla was involved in all the partnerships as he was joined by Ingram to add 65-runs in the second wicket stand and also another 50-run stand with Morkel for the third.
Morkel was moved up to number four and contributed 22 from 18 deliveries before he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rahim off the bowling of Mashrafe Mortaza to leave the score on 185/3.
Then JP Duminy scored a quick 23 off seven balls to help the side coast to a comfortable total.
The Bangladeshi chase was always going to be difficult facing such a big target.
Despite crashing to 49/4 at one time, Bangladesh picked themselves up and managed a decent total under immense pressure.
South Africa bowlers Merchant de Lange and Robin Peterson took two wickets each as the Asians fell 39 runs short.
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten half century was all in vain as the Proteas had the game under control the whole afternoon.
South Africa will play hosts Zimbabwe today.
Points table
Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts
SouthAfrica 1 1 0 0 0 2
Zimbabwe 1 1 0 0 0 2
Bangladesh 2 0 2 0 0 0
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter