Oman Creates History – First Team to Bowl Out Opponent Using Only Spin in a Decided ODI

Oman made cricketing history at Al Amerat by becoming the first team to bowl out an opposition without using a single over of seam in a completed One Day International (ODI).

In an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 clash against Namibia, Oman’s spinners dominated, with Shakeel Ahmed leading the charge with impressive figures of 4-25. Namibia struggled from the outset, slumping to 19-4 before Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton’s resilient 30 helped them reach a modest total of 96.

Oman’s openers, Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh, put on a steady 42-run partnership before Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus sparked a collapse with a brilliant 5-34. Despite slipping to 87-8, Oman managed to chase the target without further loss, securing a historic win.

Record-Breaking Spin Bowling Performance

Oman’s decision to rely solely on spin throughout Namibia’s 33.1-over innings set a new benchmark in cricket. This was the longest-ever spin-only bowling performance in a decided ODI and only the fourth such instance across men’s and women’s ODIs.

Previously, the only other instance in men’s ODIs occurred when the USA, defending a mere 36 against Nepal, bowled just 5.2 overs using only Timil Patel and Noshthush Kenjige. In women’s cricket, two similar occurrences were recorded, both in failed attempts to defend sub-100 totals.

With this remarkable feat, Oman not only became the first team to complete an entire bowling innings without a seamer but also the first to dismiss a side in an ODI exclusively with spin.

This historic achievement reinforces the growing influence of spin in limited-overs cricket and highlights Oman’s strategic mastery on home soil.