Discussion on the Super Over
The final ODI between Bangladesh and the West Indies takes place today. The previous nerve-wracking match had everything — multiple records and edge-of-the-seat drama. The match ended in a tie, leading to a Super Over. It saw a record for the most spin bowling in a single innings, as well as the most overs bowled by spinners in a match. Despite all those records, Bangladesh lost due to poor planning.
To secure the series, the BCB prepared a spin-friendly black-soil pitch in Mirpur. After winning the first ODI by 74 runs, Bangladesh tied the second match and then lost in the Super Over. With both teams winning one match each, today’s third and final ODI becomes the decider — an unofficial final. Under Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s leadership, the Tigers must win to claim their first-ever series victory.
Although today’s match is the final, the Super Over still dominates discussions. Everyone is busy dissecting the reasons behind the defeat. Even as the talk continues, both teams are now focused on the black-soil wicket — where the ball spins like a top. The question remains: Will another record be made on this spin-friendly pitch today?
In Mirpur’s black-soil conditions, the ball is spinning sharply. To stay alive in the series, the visiting West Indies fielded five spinners, who bowled all 50 overs — a first in the 54-year history of ODI cricket. The previous record was 44 overs of spin, held by Sri Lanka. The second ODI also saw a record 92 overs of spin in total.
Batting first, Bangladesh scored 213 runs, largely thanks to Rishad Hossain’s unbeaten 39 off 13 balls, which included three fours and three sixes. Chasing 214, the West Indies needed 3 runs off the final ball. Perry played a pull shot off Saif Hassan, but the ball took the edge and went high — wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan Sohan couldn’t hold the catch. Perry took two runs, and the match ended in a tie — the first in Bangladesh’s 39-year ODI history.
In the Super Over, the West Indies scored 10 runs, setting a target of 11. Miraz’s men managed only 9 runs and lost the game. Interestingly, Bangladesh faced 9 balls in the Super Over, while the Caribbean side faced only 6 balls.
