Watch: Vintage AB de Villiers makes netizens nostalgic

AB de Villiers winded the clock back at the Big Bash League 2019-20, with his superb knock at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Playing for the Brisbane Heat, ABD smashed 71 runs off just 37 balls against the Melbourne Stars. Since his arrival at the BBL, this is his first knock of 50 or more and it has now revived Brisbane’s hope for qualifying in the next round.

ABD’s brutal assault in Big Bash

After winning the toss, Heat captain Chris Lynn chose to bat first but the team struggled to find momentum after the fall of the first wicket. AB de Villiers walked into bat in the eighth over of the innings but like others, he wasn’t able to push the run rate. It was only in the 15th over that ABD decided to cut loose. After this, there was no stopping the former South African batsman. He smashed six sixes and two fours during his knock. His late flourish ensured Heat got 88 runs from their last six overs to finish at a score of 186 for 5. During his innings, AB de Villiers scored only 13 runs off his first 16 deliveries, but in his last 21 balls at the crease, he scored 58 runs. The innings by de Villiers set the tone for a win for the visiting side at the MCG. Here are the highlights of the innings and some tweets on ABD’s knock:

Must-watch timeout viewing ? @ABdeVilliers17 showed us earlier why he's one of the best the Big Bash has ever seen. @dream11 | #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/oi3ywAHp8r

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 25, 2020

AB de Villiers was 13* off 16 balls

And then…

4 0 6 6 1 6 1 2 4b 2 6 4

He gets his first fifty of the season off 28 balls! ?https://t.co/KFrlYJf8gR #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/5XF4qCKpi7

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 25, 2020

AB de Villiers' maiden @BBL fifty takes Brisbane Heat to 186 for 5 in a must-win game in Melbourne ?https://t.co/KFrlYJf8gR #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/zxo2T3OM6F

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 25, 2020

That was pretty to watch ? Time to finish it off. @ABdeVilliers17 | 71 off 37 with 6 x 6⃣'s and 2 x 4⃣'s#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/JQ6suoM5Wz

— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 25, 2020

What we've been waiting to see from @ABdeVilliers17… ?

MASSIVE!#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/fEr561oXDc

— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) January 25, 2020

When @ABdeVilliers17 gets going, entertainment is guaranteed. #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/R6gCD7p85g

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 25, 2020

AB DE VILLIERS Smashed 71 Runs Off 37 Balls Against Melbourne Stars in Big Bash Premier League 2019 ? #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/blSbg5rVGq

— CricYes (@CricYess) January 25, 2020

AB de Villiers keeps wickets for Brisbane Heat

Interestingly, ABD also kept wickets for Heat in the absence of their regular keeper. On the field, he took one catch, effected a stumping and assisted in a runout. Overall, it was the ABD show at the MCG. Melbourne Stars got all out for 115 runs, with Heat winning the match by 71 runs. The superstar batsman was also given the man of the match award for his brilliant performance with the bat and gloves.

That's quite ferocious from AB de Villiers ?? #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/qiySM7mQU6

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 25, 2020

AB de Villiers assists a Mujeeb run-out.

Pete Handscomb is the victim of the mix-up ? #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/vyMrYMfwvT

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/aathil2000/status/1221036722185625600

With gloves ?
This is soo goooood!?❤️@ABdeVilliers17 #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/0Gf1Mf96qZ

— AB’s (@Aditiab17) January 25, 2020

With his international cricket return on the cards, we can expect to see him soon again playing for the South African side. For now, he has helped Heat stay alive in the race of qualifications as the Big Bash League moves to its final stages. Brisbane will play their final league match against Melbourne Renegades at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on January 27.