In an extraordinary moment in cricket history, the West Indies became the first men’s ODI team to bowl all 50 overs with spin. The record-breaking feat came during the second ODI against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, where the Caribbean side relied entirely on spin bowling to dismantle their hosts.
Skipper Shai Hope led the tactical move, choosing not to use the only seamer in the lineup, Justin Greaves. Instead, every over came from spinners — a bold strategy that proved effective on a turning Mirpur wicket.
Significance of the Feat
Until this match, the most spin-dominated innings in men’s ODIs was 44 overs, bowled by Sri Lanka on multiple occasions. Across both men’s and women’s ODIs, the previous record was 47 overs, set by Sri Lanka Women against India in 2004.
ODI Bowling Records (Most Spin Overs):
| Overs | Format | Team | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Men | West Indies | Bangladesh | Mirpur | Oct 21, 2025 |
| 47 | Women | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo | Apr 19, 2004 |
| 46 | Women | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo | Apr 29, 2004 |
| 46 | Women | Sri Lanka | South Africa | Potchefstroom | Apr 17, 2024 |
| 45 | Women | Sri Lanka | West Indies | Bridgetown | Apr 25, 2012 |
How the Match Unfolded
Bangladesh batted first and posted 213/7 in 50 overs. Gudakesh Motie led the West Indies attack, taking 3 wickets for 65 runs in his 10-over spell. Alick Athanaze, surprisingly chosen ahead of the lone seamer, delivered the most economical figures with 2 wickets for just 14 runs in 10 overs.
In reply, Shai Hope anchored the chase with a composed 53 off 67 balls, guiding the visitors to 213 — tying the match and forcing a Super Over.
In the Super Over, West Indies scored 10 runs, while Akeal Hosein bowled a tight over, restricting Bangladesh to 9 and securing a dramatic win to level the series 1-1.
Series Decider Up Next
The final ODI between Bangladesh and West Indies will take place on October 23 at the same venue, Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. With the series tied, both teams are expected to experiment with their bowling combinations, especially after the spin-dominant strategy’s success.
