West Indies Use Five Spinners Against Bangladesh in Dhaka — Create ODI History
After enduring a humiliating defeat in the first ODI at Mirpur, West Indies responded with a bold and tactical masterstroke in the second match — fielding five frontline spinners at the start of the innings. The move, rarely seen in modern-day one-day cricket, left fans and pundits stunned as the Caribbean side tried to turn the Dhaka spin conditions to their advantage.
West Indies Employ Heavy Spin Strategy in Dhaka
Following the spin-dominated pitch in the series opener, the West Indies selectors made major changes — drafting in Akeal Hosein, who was flown in from the Caribbean specifically for these spin-friendly surfaces.
In a remarkable scene, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase opened the bowling attack — marking just the fifth time in ODI history that both ends were started by spinners in a full-member match.
By the end of the 28th over, West Indies had already bowled five different spinners — Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, Khary Pierre, Gudakesh Motie, and Alick Athanaze — reducing Bangladesh to 96/4, exploiting the sluggish, turning pitch perfectly.
Rare Instances of Spinners Opening ODI Innings (Full-Member Nations)
| Team | Bowlers | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Jeetan Patel & Mitchell Santner | South Africa | Hamilton | 2017 |
| Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan & Sunzamul Islam | Zimbabwe | Mirpur, Dhaka | 2018 |
| Bangladesh | Mehidy Hasan Miraz & Shakib Al Hasan | West Indies | Mirpur, Dhaka | 2018 |
| Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan & Taijul Islam | England | Mirpur, Dhaka | 2022 |
| West Indies | Akeal Hosein & Roston Chase | Bangladesh | Mirpur, Dhaka | 2025 |
This match also marked the first time in ODI history that the first five bowlers used by a team were all spinners — a record-breaking tactical shift that reflects how extreme spin conditions have become in Dhaka.
Spin-Fest Continues at Mirpur
The pitch once again proved to be a spinner’s paradise — slow, dark, and turning viciously from the first over. Bangladesh, who dominated with spin in the first ODI, had earlier won by 74 runs, with Rishad Hossain taking six wickets as the West Indies batting collapsed dramatically.
This time, however, the visitors seem to have learned their lesson. With five spinners attacking from both ends, they have successfully slowed the scoring rate and forced the Bangladeshi batters into mistakes.
The question remains — will this all-spin gamble help the West Indies level the series, or will Bangladesh’s own spin-heavy attack hit back once again?
