South Africa overwhelm Bangladesh

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh -- South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson took a career-best five for 33 in an overwhelming innings and 205-run defeat of Bangladesh in Chittagong. which completed a 2-0 series triumph.

Bangladesh went into the fourth day needing 270 runs to make the tourists bat again, with only four wickets in hand. They were dismissed for 119 in 39.5 overs.

Peterson sparked a collapse in the second over of the morning when he had Mushfiqur Rahim (four) caught at first slip and next ball caught and bowled Mohammad Rafique.

Shahadat Hossain hit four fours in his 24 and Abdur Razzaq (32 not out) added a late touch of defiance. Hossain was caught by Ashwell Prince off Peterson when he tried to loft one over long-off and Morne Morkel captured the last wicket when Neil McKenzie took a spectacular flying catch in gully to dismiss Mashrafe Mortaza.

Bangladesh batsman Aftab Ahmed could not bat after being struck in the face by a short ball from Jacques Kallis the previous day.

He had been carried off with a serious injury to a cheekbone after the ball shot through his helmet grill and hit him just below the right eye.

South African captain Graeme Smith said their performance in the series would ensure that morale was high for their tour to India, where they will play three Tests.

"It has been fantastic. The guys will take a lot of confidence before going to India. It's nice mentally to get into the right frame of mind when playing in the subcontinent.

"This tour has been beneficial so far with all the boys standing up to the challenge."

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful said it was disappointing to lose in such a fashion while giving credit to the superb all-round performance of the visitors.

"Their bowlers bowled a very good line after their batters had nearly sealed our fate, all credit to them. We are still in the learning curve and will try to improve in the days to come," he said.

Ashraful also paid tribute to left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who was playing his final Test and picked his 100th wicket in the match, saying: "He has been a legend for our country. We all look up to him for inspiration."

Fast bowler Dale Steyn was named player of the series for taking 14 wickets in the two Tests.

The two teams will now play a three-match one-day series with the first in Chittagong on March 9 and the remaining two in Dhaka on March 12 and 14. E-mail to a friend