Marques Ackerman struck a magnificent double century and Sinethemba Qeshile finished unbeaten on 190 as South Africa A piled on the runs against Bangladesh A on day two of the first unofficial Test at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria on Monday.

South Africa A reached stumps on 622/5 after 125 overs, giving the hosts a commanding first-innings lead of 500 runs after Bangladesh A were bowled out for 122 on the opening day.

Ackerman was the standout performer, scoring 256 off 237 balls, including 24 fours and seven sixes, while Qeshile will resume on day three just 10 runs short of his double century.

The hosts started the second day on 170/2, with Ackerman unbeaten on 80 and Zubayr Hamza on 70.

The pair continued their partnership before Hamza was eventually dismissed for 78 off 125 balls, ending a 170-run stand for the third wicket.

His dismissal brought Qeshile to the crease, and together with Ackerman, the pair took the match firmly away from Bangladesh A.

Ackerman converted his overnight half-century into a commanding double hundred, while Qeshile provided excellent support as the pair put together a mammoth 287-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

The South Africa A captain eventually departed for 256 with the score on 478/4, bringing an end to an innings in which he scored at a strike rate of 108.01.

Qeshile continued to build the hosts’ advantage after Ackerman’s dismissal, combining with Gavin Kaplan for a 77-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Kaplan contributed 38 off 49 balls, including four boundaries, before being run out with the score on 555.

Delano Potgieter then joined Qeshile and helped South Africa A safely through to the close.

Qeshile finished the day unbeaten on 190 from 249 deliveries, with 14 fours and five sixes, while Potgieter was not out on 32 from 65 balls.

The pair have added an unbeaten 67 runs for the sixth wicket.

It was a difficult day for the Bangladesh A bowlers, with Anamul Haque finishing with 2/84 from 20 overs. Nayeem Hasan claimed 1/152 from 31 overs, while Al Fahad picked up the other wicket.

South Africa A will head into day three in complete control of the match, with a 500-run first-innings advantage and five wickets still in hand.

Qeshile will also have the opportunity to complete a double century when play resumes on Tuesday.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh A 122 all out (44.3 overs)
Shahadat Hossain 23, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 19, Al Fahad 18; Gerald Coetzee 3/31, Tshepo Ntuli 3/6, Codi Yusuf 2/22, Tshepo Moreki 2/38.

South Africa A 622/5 (125 overs)
Marques Ackerman 256, Sinethemba Qeshile 190*, Zubayr Hamza 78, Gavin Kaplan 38, Delano Potgieter 32*; Anamul Haque 2/84, Nayeem Hasan 1/152, Al Fahad 1/83.

South Africa A lead by 500 runs with five first-innings wickets remaining.