Mirpur’s famously dark pitch has often been a source of jokes and criticism, but this time, West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein added a new twist to the conversation. Seeing the pitch on TV for the first time, he initially thought there was something wrong with his television.
On the same black wicket, Hosein became one of the heroes of West Indies’ victory in the second ODI on Tuesday. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the left-arm spinner laughed as he recalled his initial confusion about Mirpur’s pitch.
“When I turned on the TV, the first thing I did was check my TV because it looked like there was a problem! The screen was completely black, and I thought maybe the color was off or something was wrong. Later, I realized the pitch itself was that dark.”
Hosein had returned home last month after playing against Nepal in Sharjah. Although part of the T20 squad for the Bangladesh tour, he wasn’t in the ODI squad initially. But due to sudden injuries to two players, he was called up for the final two ODIs. After a long flight, he arrived in Dhaka at 4 a.m. and went straight into action, playing a key role in his team’s win despite the exhaustion.
Professionalism comes first for him.
“I arrived at the hotel at 4 a.m., but that’s part of the job. Once you commit to something, excuses don’t count — you have to give your 100 percent. I almost ruined the match, but in the end, I helped the team win, and that’s a huge relief,” said Akeal Hosein.
This match marked his return to ODIs after two and a half years. While he is West Indies’ first-choice spinner in T20s, he had been away from the ODI format for a long time. At 32, he has no regrets about it.
“I never wondered why I wasn’t in the team. The selectors make the decisions; I just enjoy the game and play as well as I can.”
“I believe such decisions are the responsibility of the selectors and team management. My job is simply to enjoy each match and give my best — the rest is up to them.”
During Bangladesh’s innings on Mirpur’s turning wicket, when the home side struggled, Rishad Hossain emerged as the game-changer. He smashed 39 runs off just 14 balls, including three sixes and three fours, turning the match in just two overs. Yet Rishad wasn’t sent out to bat in the Super Over.
Even West Indies were surprised by this decision. Hosein candidly admitted that Rishad not batting in the Super Over worked in their favor.
“In the last over of the main match bowled by me, he hit a six and a four. In the previous over, he had hit two sixes and a four off another left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie. Yet Bangladesh chose to send Soumya Sarkar and Saif Hassan first in the Super Over, followed by Najmul Hossain Shanto.”
Bangladesh needed 11 runs in the final over of the Super Over. Before a single legal delivery, a wide and a no-ball already brought four runs. Still, they couldn’t finish the chase.
After the match, Hosein shared his team’s amazement.
“Yes, I was a little surprised. The player who caused the most damage in the match — 39 not out off 14 balls — did not come out in the Super Over! He had hit two sixes at the short boundary in the main match; he could have done it again. We were all actually surprised.”
“Not sending him worked in our favor. He’s one of the few with that kind of power and reach, and overall, he was one of the most dangerous batters. They didn’t send him, and we are grateful for that.”
