Spin marathon ends in Super-Over drama as West Indies edge Bangladesh to square series

The West Indies levelled the One-Day series against Bangladesh in the most dramatic fashion, clinching a Super-Over victory by a single run after an attritional contest dominated by spin in Dhaka.

Set 11 to win in the tie-breaker at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday night, Bangladesh fell agonisingly short as Akeal Hosein mixed dot balls, wides and no-balls to keep his composure under pressure, denying the hosts by the narrowest of margins. 

The result squared the three-match series 1-1 .

Earlier, Shai Hope had once again proved the difference for the visitors. His unbeaten 51 in regulation play – the only half-century of the match – and a composed cameo in the Super Over guided the Caribbeans through a nervy finish.

Hope’s single off the final delivery of the 50th over had forced the tie in remarkable circumstances. With West Indies needing five runs to win, Saif Hassan bowled two dots before conceding one. 

Hope then risked a desperate single with last man Khary Pierre, whose top-edge to square leg was dropped by wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan, allowing two runs to level the scores.

The deadlock marked Bangladesh’s first tie in 814 men’s internationals, setting up a Super Over that would end in heartbreak.

A RECORD DAY FOR SPIN

The match also rewrote the record books. 

West Indies bowled all 50 overs of spin, surpassing Sri Lanka’s 2004 record of 44. Bangladesh responded with 42 overs of their own, making 92 overs of spin in total – the most ever in an ODI.

Defending a modest 213 for 7, Bangladesh had been rescued late by Rishad Hossain’s blistering cameo after the top order struggled to find rhythm against the relentless turn.

Soumya Sarkar’s patient 45 from 89 balls anchored the innings, while Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto both fell cheaply. 

Mahidul Islam’s attempt to accelerate ended in a mis-hit to deep midwicket.

Rishad revived the innings with a furious late burst, smashing three sixes and three fours in his last 13 balls. His unbroken 50-run stand with captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (32*) lifted Bangladesh past 200 on a cracked, sluggish surface.

For West Indies, Gudakesh Motie claimed 3 for 65, with Hosein and part-timer Alick Athanaze taking two apiece in a disciplined display that broke a two-decade-old record for most overs of spin in an ODI.

HOPE HOLDS FIRM AMID CHAOS

Chasing 214, the visitors lost Brandon King in the first over, before Athanaze and Keacy Carty steadied the innings through the powerplay. Rishad struck again to remove both, and debutant Ackeem Auguste followed soon after.

At 103 for 5, West Indies looked adrift before Hope rebuilt with Gudakesh Motie and later Justin Greaves, adding 44 for the eighth wicket. Greaves’ run-out briefly threatened to derail the chase, but Hosein’s late six ensured the scores were tied and a Super Over beckoned.

When Mustafizur Rahman dismissed Sherfane Rutherford in the tie-breaker, Bangladesh sensed victory. Yet Hope’s last-ball boundary lifted the total to 10, just enough.

Hosein’s nerveless defence of those runs completed a memorable turnaround and ensured the series will go down to a decider later this week.