ISLAMABAD: The West Indies carved their name into cricketing history on Tuesday, becoming the first team ever in men’s One-Day International (ODI) history to bowl an entire 50-over innings exclusively with spin during the second ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
On a slow, turning Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium pitch, captain Roston Chase made the daring call to use five spinners, himself, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, and Alick Athanaze, each bowling their full quota of ten overs.
Remarkably, the team’s only specialist pacer, Justin Greaves, was not used at all.
Bangladesh were restricted to 213 for 8 in their 50 overs, unable to break free from the relentless spin assault that mixed flight, variation, and accuracy to perfection.
“It was all about reading the conditions,” Chase said during the post-match talk.
“We knew the surface would take turn, and with the options we had, going all-spin made sense. The boys executed beautifully.”
According to ESPNcricinfo, no team had ever bowled all 50 overs with spin in an ODI before. The previous record stood at 44 overs, set by Sri Lanka in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Cricket fans quickly flooded social media to hail the historic moment. One user posted on X:
“HISTORY MADE IN DHAKA! West Indies become the first team to bowl 50 overs of spin in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka’s old record of 44 overs is gone!”
Another fan shared:
“Fifty overs by spinners — first time ever in ODI history! Ten overs each by Akeal, Chase, Pierre, Motie, and Athanaze. Incredible balance and control.”
While some praised the innovation, others questioned what the milestone said about modern pitch conditions.
“It’s amazing, but you do wonder about pitches that give no balance to bat and ball,” wrote one Test cricket follower.
Still, the move underscored West Indies’ growing confidence in their spin depth. A quality long associated with subcontinental teams rather than Caribbean cricket.
Chase’s calculated gamble not only earned his side a tactical edge but also etched a new chapter in ODI history, signaling how the format continues to evolve.
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