Bangladesh posted 213 for 7 in their 50 overs against the West Indies in the second ODI in Mirpur on Tuesday, but the innings will be remembered as much for a slice of cricketing history as for Rishad Hossain’s explosive cameo.
The West Indies became the first team in ODI history to bowl an entire 50 overs using only spinners, eclipsing Sri Lanka’s previous record of 44 overs of spin in a single innings, set back in 1996.
On a slow Sher-e-Bangla surface, the visitors relied solely on their spin arsenal — Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Roston Chase, and Alick Athanaze — in a rare and calculated gamble that paid off with constant pressure on Bangladesh’s batters.
For much of the innings, that pressure worked.
Bangladesh’s top order again faltered, slumping to 103 for 5 before Soumya Sarkar’s 45 off 89 balls and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 32 not out offered some stability.
But it was Rishad Hossain, the young leg-spinning all-rounder, who brought late firepower — smashing 39 off just 14 balls, with three sixes and three fours, to drag Bangladesh past the 200 mark.
Athanaze’s remarkable spell of 2 for 14 in 10 overs anchored the West Indies’ discipline, while Motie (3 for 65) and Hosein (2 for 41) did the damage at both ends.
Bangladesh, who opted to bat first, will take heart from Rishad’s hitting and their lower-order resilience, but defending 213 under lights will be a stern challenge.