In a groundbreaking moment for ODI cricket, Oman and the USA produced an unprecedented spectacle in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. The match was not dominated by a single noteworthy performance but by a collective effort from both teams, earning them a place in the annals of cricketing history. The match at Al Amerat on February 18, 2025, became the first-ever completed ODI to feature only spin bowling across both innings.
Oman, who had already made history in their previous game against Namibia by using an all-spin attack, met their match against the USA. Bowling first, the hosts skittled out the American side for just 122 in 35.3 overs. Five spinners were deployed, with Shakeel Ahmed leading the charge and claiming three wickets.
The USA responded in kind, opening their bowling with spinners and setting the tone for an extraordinary second innings. Milind Kumar and Harmeet Singh struck early before left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige ran riot with a five-wicket haul. Yasir Mohammad added two more as Oman collapsed for a mere 65, ensuring all 10 wickets fell to spin.
The USA’s defense of the modest total also set a record for the lowest target ever defended in an ODI, surpassing India’s 125 runs against Pakistan in 1985.
This match marked only the third instance of a team bowling an entire ODI innings with spin. Oman, having achieved this feat twice in the same tournament, joined an exclusive list. The match also became the 14th occasion in men’s ODIs where all wickets were claimed by spin (except a run-out involving USA’s Nosthush Kenjige).
Here’s a look at ODIs where spin dominated the wicket-taking chart:
Most Wickets by Spinners in an ODI
| Match | Venue | Date | Wickets to Spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh vs Pakistan | Chattogram | Dec 6, 2011 | 19 |
| Oman vs USA | Al Amerat | Feb 18, 2025 | 19 |
| Oman vs Netherlands | Al Amerat | Nov 11, 2024 | 17 |
| Oman vs Namibia | Al Amerat | Feb 16, 2025 | 17 |
| Sri Lanka vs South Africa | Colombo | Sep 7, 2021 | 16 |
| Sri Lanka vs India | Colombo | Sep 12, 2023 | 16 |
Oman and the USA’s all-spin approach is also the first ODI match with zero overs of pace bowling. Below is a comparison of ODIs with minimal pace involvement:
ODIs with Minimal Pace Bowling
| Match | Overs Bowled by Pacers | Wickets Taken by Pacers | Best Bowling Figures (Pacers) | Economy Rate | Strike Rate | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oman vs USA | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | Feb 18, 2025 |
| Oman vs Namibia | 2 | 1 | 1/6 | 3.00 | 12 | Feb 16, 2025 |
| Nepal vs USA | 3 | 0 | – | 4.33 | – | Feb 12, 2020 |
| Oman vs UAE | 8 | 1 | 1/13 | 2.75 | 48 | Nov 7, 2024 |
| Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | 9 | 2 | 2/10 | 3.55 | 27 | Nov 3, 2009 |
| Oman vs UAE | 10.4 | 1 | 1/16 | 2.81 | 64 | Nov 1, 2024 |
| Bangladesh vs Pakistan | 11 | 1 | 1/32 | 4.36 | 66 | Dec 6, 2011 |
| West Indies vs Bangladesh | 12 | 1 | 1/9 | 3.66 | 72 | Jul 13, 2022 |
| Nepal vs PNG | 13.4 | 2 | 1/22 | 8.04 | 41 | Mar 13, 2023 |
| Sri Lanka vs South Africa | 14 | 3 | 2/16 | 5.35 | 28 | Sep 7, 2021 |
The Oman-USA encounter highlights an increasing reliance on spin in limited-overs formats, especially by ICC associate nations. With Oman leading the way in using spin-dominated attacks, this could be a glimpse into the future of ODI cricket, where tactical adaptability might take precedence over conventional fast-bowling dominance.
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