A rare scene unfolded at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur during the second ODI between Bangladesh and the West Indies. For the first time in the 54-year history of One Day International (ODI) cricket, all 50 overs of an innings were bowled entirely by spinners.
The West Indies team was aware that the Mirpur pitch would favor spin bowling. That’s why they initially included three spinners in their lineup. However, after the first match, it became clear that the wicket was not just spin-friendly—it was a spin paradise. In response, the team hurriedly called up Trinidadian left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who arrived in Dhaka at 2:30 a.m. local time and was included in the playing XI the very next day.
Captain Shai Hope began the bowling attack with four regular spinners — Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, and Roston Chase — with only 10 overs reserved for pace options Sherfane Rutherford and Justin Greaves.
Midway through the innings, Hope brought on part-time spinner and opening batter Alick Athanaze, who delivered a remarkable spell—bowling all 10 overs, giving away just 14 runs, and taking 2 wickets, including 50 dot balls.
Encouraged by Athanaze’s performance, Hope decided to let the spinners finish the entire innings. As a result, all 50 overs of the West Indies’ bowling came from spinners — a historic first in ODI cricket.
Previously, Sri Lanka held the record for most overs bowled by spinners in an innings — 44 overs, achieved in 1996, 1998, and 2004. Before this match, the West Indies had never bowled more than 35 overs of spin in an ODI innings. Now, they’ve etched their name in history with this unprecedented all-spin feat.