Tue 21 Oct ’25 by KRISSANIA YOUNG
West Indies became the first men’s team to deliver 50 overs of spin in one-day international cricket on their way to a heartbreaking super win over Bangladesh in the second match in Dhaka earlier on Tuesday. Gudakesh Motie (3 for 65), Alick Athanaze (2 for 14) and Akeal Hosein (2 for 41) helped restrict the hosts to 213 for 7 from their 50 overs. The other spinners, Roston Chase and Khary Pierre, went wicketless, conceding 44 and 43 respectively in their quota.
The visiting players have been measured in their comments on the slower than usual Mirpur pitch. Coach Daren Sammy has responded with tactics instead. They dropped pacer Jayden Seales, their most effective bowler from game one with figures of 3 for 48. He made way for Akeal Hosein.
Hosein eventually defended 10 in the super over to give the Caribbean side a 1-run win. “When you look at the surface and see what it’s doing, there’s little point in asking your fast bowlers to run up and put that kind of effort on this pitch,” Hosein said.
Ackeem Auguste was handed an ODI debut in favor of all-rounder Romario Shepherd. The adjustments to the bowling line-up also strengthened Windies’ batting. According to Hosein, “You have to be proactive and try to pick the best 11, whether it is the best bowling combination or your batting combination.” For all intents and purposes, the West Indies found the perfect combination.
Auguste (17) and Keacy Carty (35) put on an important 30 for the third wicket. While Shai Hope’s match-saving unbeaten 53 was backed up by Justin Greaves’ 26, Hosein’s 17 and Motie’s 15.
The visitors struck back to eleven, and it was two runs from the bat of their number 11, Pierre, that helped them move level with Bangladesh’s total at 213 for 9 from 50 overs in their response. “Today we stuck to the left-right combination. It’s about doing what it takes to win the match,” Hosein said. The Caribbean team hopes to reach the pinnacle of winning a thrilling match to a series victory on Thursday.
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