Bangladesh Fall Short in Super Over Thriller
In one of the most dramatic finishes in Bangladesh’s cricket history, the Tigers played their first-ever tied ODI match before losing narrowly to the West Indies in a Super Over at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. The match had everything — records, resilience, heartbreak, and a new chapter in Bangladesh’s growing cricket story.
The contest ended with both teams locked at 213 runs, as Bangladesh failed to chase down the target and West Indies held their nerve in the Super Over to clinch victory by just one run. The thrilling result meant the three-match series is now level at 1-1, setting up a decisive final game.
A Historic Tie in Bangladesh Cricket
Bangladesh, a team known for their fighting spirit at home, experienced something completely new — their first tie in 814 men’s international matches. The game was as close as cricket gets, going down to the final ball in regulation time before being decided in the Super Over.
With West Indies needing five runs off the final over, Saif Hassan bowled brilliantly under pressure. He started with two dot balls and then conceded just a single. When West Indies captain Shai Hope took a single off the penultimate ball, his decision to retain strike seemed strategic — until Akeal Hosein was bowled through his legs. With three needed off the final ball, a miscued top edge from Khary Pierre landed safely, and the batsmen scampered for two runs to tie the match.
The stadium erupted in disbelief — Bangladesh had come so close but would now have to face the unfamiliar pressure of a Super Over.
The Super Over Drama
In the Super Over, West Indies batted first. Shai Hope, who had anchored their innings earlier with a composed 53 off 81 balls, once again led from the front. Despite losing Sherfane Rutherford to Mustafizur Rahman’s clever variation, Hope found the boundary off the last ball to push their total to 10 runs.
Bangladesh, needing 11 to win, sent in Soumya Sarkar and Najmul Hossain Shanto to chase. However, Akeal Hosein bowled a nervy but effective over, mixing wides and no-balls with accurate deliveries to keep Bangladesh in check.
Despite a few singles and near-misses, the Tigers fell short by just one run, leaving fans heartbroken and the players visibly devastated. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz later admitted that it was a “new experience” for the team and that a single boundary could have turned the result their way.
Spin, Spin, and More Spin — A Record-Breaking Day
This Dhaka encounter made cricketing history in another way — it became the first-ever ODI where one team bowled spin for all 50 overs. The West Indies spin attack led by Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, and Roston Chase turned the Sher-e-Bangla surface into a slow-bowling spectacle. The Caribbean side bowled 50 consecutive overs of spin, breaking Sri Lanka’s 2004 record of 44 overs against Australia.
Bangladesh weren’t far behind either — their spinners bowled 42 overs, meaning an unprecedented 92 overs of spin were delivered in total. For fans of spin bowling, it was a masterclass in control, flight, and patience.
Bangladesh’s Struggle With the Bat
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Bangladesh’s innings never really got going. Openers Saif Hassan and Soumya Sarkar failed to provide momentum, and middle-order batters Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto perished to poor shot selection.
Soumya Sarkar top-scored with 45 off 89 balls, showing glimpses of class but failing to convert his start into a match-defining innings. Bangladesh were 103 for 5 at one stage, with the innings losing direction before Nurul Hasan and Rishad Hossain staged a late recovery.
Rishad, who had impressed in the previous match, played a breathtaking cameo — smashing 39 not out off 14 balls, including three sixes and three fours in the final two overs. His aggression took Bangladesh past 200, finishing at 213 for 7, a total that looked slightly below par but competitive on the slow Dhaka pitch.
Rishad Hossain Shines Again
Rishad Hossain continues to emerge as Bangladesh’s brightest young star. Following up on his six-wicket haul in the first ODI, the leg-spinner once again dominated with both bat and ball.
With the ball, he picked up 3 for 42, dismantling the West Indian middle order. His dismissals of Alick Athanaze (lbw) and Keacy Carty (trapped on the back leg) turned the game in Bangladesh’s favor midway through the chase.
His fearless batting at the death showed his growing confidence and ability to handle pressure. As captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz praised after the match, “Rishad is doing really good at this moment. All the batsmen struggled, but he was confident and batted really well.”
Hope Keeps West Indies Alive
For West Indies, Shai Hope was once again their savior. The captain’s calm presence at the crease held the innings together amid regular wickets. His 53 off 81 balls wasn’t flashy, but it was crucial. He added vital stands with Justin Greaves and Gudakesh Motie to take the match deep.
The supporting act came from Keacy Carty (35) and Alick Athanaze (27), but it was Hope’s composure that allowed the visitors to stay in contention. His decision to take the Super Over strike also reflected his leadership confidence, guiding West Indies to a hard-fought victory.
What Went Wrong for Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s key issue once again was their lack of finishing in pressure situations. Despite being in control at multiple stages — both while batting and bowling — they failed to close out the game. The absence of power-hitting in the middle overs and missed fielding opportunities, including Nurul Hasan’s dropped catch in the final over, proved costly.
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted in the post-match interview that the team is still adapting to the challenges of close games. “It was not an easy surface to bat on,” he said. “Rishad played really well, but in the Super Over, one boundary could have changed everything.”
The Road Ahead
With the series now tied 1-1, both teams will head into the final ODI in Dhaka with everything to play for. Bangladesh will aim to regroup quickly, tighten their fielding, and improve their batting depth. The West Indies, on the other hand, will look to carry the confidence of this thrilling win into the decider.
This match, though ending in heartbreak, showcased the fight and flair of Bangladesh cricket — a team constantly learning, evolving, and pushing boundaries. While the result didn’t go their way, fans will remember this for years as the day Bangladesh entered the record books with their first-ever tied ODI and a Super Over that tested every nerve.