The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 witnessed a historic moment as Oman and the USA engaged in a unique ODI encounter that reshaped cricketing norms. Their match at Al Amerat on February 18, 2025, became the first-ever completed ODI in which both teams exclusively used spin bowling throughout both innings.
Having already made history in their previous game against Namibia by deploying an all-spin attack, Oman once again relied solely on their spinners. Opting to bowl first, they dismantled the USA for just 122 runs in 35.3 overs, with Shakeel Ahmed leading the charge, claiming three wickets.
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In response, the USA mirrored Oman’s approach, opening with spinners and maintaining their dominance throughout the innings. Milind Kumar and Harmeet Singh provided early breakthroughs before left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige took center stage, securing a five-wicket haul. Yasir Mohammad contributed two wickets, as Oman crumbled to just 65 runs—all 10 wickets falling to spin.
This match also set a new record for the lowest total ever successfully defended in an ODI, surpassing India’s 125-run defense against Pakistan in 1985. Additionally, it marked only the third time in ODI history that a team bowled an entire innings using only spin. Oman, having accomplished this feat twice in the same tournament, now joins an elite list.
Furthermore, the match became the 14th instance in men’s ODIs where all wickets were taken by spinners, with the exception of a run-out involving Nosthush Kenjige.
Oman and the USA’s approach also made this the first-ever ODI to feature zero overs of pace bowling. The growing reliance on spin, particularly among ICC associate nations, signals a potential shift in limited-overs cricket, where strategic adaptability may take precedence over traditional fast-bowling dominance.
