West Indies pulled off the highest chase in Twenty20 international history, overhauling South Africa’s 231 for seven at the Wanderers to take an unassailable lead in the three-game series.
Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, via devastating innings of 90 and 60 respectively, made it possible by combining for 151, and victory later came with four wickets and as many balls to spare.
The Johannesburg ground also staged the biggest chase in one-day internationals, the Proteas’ breath-taking pursuit of 435 to beat Australia in 2006.
Today's target was set mainly by a first format ton by home captain Francois du Plessis, whose 119 featured five sixes and 11 fours.
He shared 125 for the third wicket with David Miller, who contributed 47 until being run out. De Plessis went on to a 46-ball hundred before falling at the end of the 19th over.
Samuels joined second-wicket partner Gayle in the reply’s second over and the pair’s pyrotechnics lit up a packed stadium, like du Plessis’ had done.
Gayle, who hit 77 in the opening match, flayed seven sixes and nine fours while Samuels, who was out two overs after the opener, cleared the rope twice but found the boundary seven other times.
When both were gone along with Kieron Pollard, all to seamer David Wiese who took 3-43, South Africa were in contention.
Yet skipper Darren Sammy saw the previous World Twenty20 champions to a series success ahead of Wednesday’s third game.