ছবি: Photo: Collected
Oman etched its name in cricket history by achieving a rare feat never seen before in international cricket—bowling out an opposition team using only spin bowlers. This unprecedented record was set during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match against Namibia, where Oman’s spin attack dismantled their opponents without a single over from a pacer.
The match, held at Al Amerat, saw Oman’s spinners take complete control as they bowled Namibia out for just 96 runs in 33.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed starred for the team, claiming four wickets. Namibia struggled early on, losing four wickets for just 19 runs before Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton offered some resistance with a top score of 30 runs. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent a batting collapse against Oman’s relentless spin attack.
This historic feat marked the first time in men’s One-Day International (ODI) cricket that a team bowled out their opposition without using a single pace bowler. The only comparable instance in men's cricket came in 2020, when the United States employed an all-spin strategy against Nepal in a match that lasted just 5.2 overs. In women's cricket, similar instances had occurred twice before, though both resulted in failed defenses of low totals. Oman’s achievement is unique because they not only bowled an entire innings with spin but also went on to win the match.
Despite chasing a modest target, Oman faced challenges in securing the victory. Openers Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh provided a solid start with a 42-run partnership. However, Namibia’s captain, Gerhard Erasmus, kept his team in the contest with an outstanding bowling performance, claiming five wickets for just 34 runs. At one stage, Oman was in a precarious position at 87 for 8, raising the possibility of an upset. However, the lower order held their nerve to secure a narrow but historic win.
This achievement follows another recent record involving spin-dominated bowling. In South Africa’s franchise T20 tournament, the SA20, Paarl Royals became the first team to complete a full 20-over innings using only spinners. However, Oman’s milestone holds even greater significance as it came in an international ODI match and resulted in a victorious outcome.
As cricket continues to evolve, the growing prominence of spin bowlers is becoming more evident. Yet, an entire innings without a pacer taking the field remains an extraordinary occurrence, making Oman’s feat a groundbreaking moment in the sport’s history.
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