Thu | Oct 23, 2025

Super Over win gives West Indies confidence - Hosein

Published:Thursday | October 23, 2025 | 12:10 AM
Akeal Hosein
Akeal Hosein

MIRPUR, Bangladesh (CMC):

IN A match that defied logic and pushed tension to the absolute limit, Captain Shai Hope, with a dogged unbeaten half-century, and spinner Akeal Hosein, combined to pull off a stunning, last-gasp victory for the West Indies over Bangladesh in the second One Day International at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

The heart-stopping contest in Dhaka was ultimately decided by a rare Super Over, with the visitors snatching a one-run win to level the three-match series and set up a dramatic finale.

Reflecting on the galvanising win, Hosein, who bowled the Super Over, emphasised its significance for a team in the building phase.

“These wins do a lot for the team, you know, it brings them together, it makes everyone believe. And, at the end of the day, a win is a win. And I think that these wins that we scrape and fight as a unit to get over the line can only do wonders for the team.”

The left-arm spinner also explained a key tactical decision that saw the West Indies bowl 50 consecutive overs of spin for the first time in their ODI history, praising part-timer Alick Athanaze for his discipline.

“When you look at a surface and what it’s doing, it makes little sense asking your fast bowlers to run up and exert that kind of effort. We do have several quality spinners … [Athanaze] goes down as a part-timer but, at the end of the day, discipline is key … he stuck to the plan … and it paid off.”

With the series now perfectly poised at 1-1, Hosein identified the key to clinching the decider.

“I think the confidence in the camp is good; it’s just about execution,” he said.

“On these sorts of pitches, you’re never really in until you finish the job … if you are in, you take it straight to the end and bring that game home for the team. Don’t leave it up for anyone else.”

The third and final day-night game will be played today.