Lowest Score in ODI

The curious phenomenon known as One Day International matches is a part of the sport of cricket and fantasy cricket games. In addition to the grit and stamina required for a Test match, it also incorporates the thrill and adrenaline of Twenty20 cricket. It should come as no surprise that veterans of the game consider being the pinnacle of all forms. However, it has had numerous highs and lows and holds the record for the highest and lowest score in ODI.

Even though the format of one-day international cricket hasn't changed all that much over the years, apart from the reduction in over-limit from 60 overs in the 1970s and 1980s to the current 50-over format, ODI cricket has seen its fair share of changes. This is because there have been several instances in which matches have seen some of the lowest scores in ODI.

Despite all of the rule modifications that have been made that favour the batter more often than not, the bowlers have repeatedly shown their value by eliminating other teams for low scores. 

Here, we examine some of the ODIs with the lowest scores ever.

Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka - Harare 2004 (Zimbabwe – 35 runs)

After losing the coin toss, Zimbabwe was asked to bat first by the captain of the Sri Lankan team, Marvan Atapattu. However, the fast bowlers, particularly Chaminda Vaas and the newcomer Farveez Maharoof, caused mayhem for the Zimbabwean batters to contend with. The total number of runs scored by Zimbabwe in an ODI was 35, which was the lowest possible score. Vaas took four wickets, while Maharoof got three throughout the match. Dilhara Fernando, who bowls at a medium speed, was responsible for the other two wickets.

While none of Zimbabwe's batters could score in the double digits, Sri Lanka cruised to victory, losing just one wicket to reach the goal in nine overs. They won the match handily.

This score has one of the lowest runs in all ODI.

Canada vs. Sri Lanka - Paarl 2003 (Canada – 36 runs)

Sanath Jayasuriya ordered Canada to bat in the 2003 Cricket Cricket World Cup group stage, but they were bowled out for just 36 runs. This was not due to the weather but because Sri Lanka's bowlers bowled Canada out before they could score more than that.

Chaminda Vaas and Prabath Nissanka were successful with their fast bowling, with Chaminda Vaas claiming three wickets and Prabath Nissanka four. The only Canadian batsman to reach double digits was the skipper, Joe Harris, who scored nine runs. None of the other Canadian batters scored more than that.

On the other side, Sri Lanka raced towards the goal and eventually won the match with almost 35 overs to spare, largely thanks to Marvan Atapattu's quick 24 runs.

The score that Canada achieved in ODI was their lowest.

Zimbabwe Vs. Sri Lanka - Colombo 2001 (Zimbabwe – 38 runs)

Once again, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are represented on the list, and this time the event took place in the capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo, in 2001. After winning the toss, Sri Lanka sent Zimbabwe into bat. However, the squad only managed to score 38 runs before being dismissed. Although the team's captain, Stuart Carlisle, had the most number of runs with 16, Chaminda Vaas was the one who caused the most damage as he grabbed a career-high eight wickets while allowing just 19 runs to be scored. Muralitharan, who is a spin maestro, took the other two wickets that were taken.

Zimbabwe was only able to bat for 15 overs, while Sri Lanka was able to complete their goal in only four overs with just one wicket lost. Captain Jayasuriya and Atapattu were still batting with scores of 13, which separated them from being out.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa - Paarl 2012 (Sri Lanka – 43 runs)

After winning the coin toss on a batting surface, South Africa decided to field first and set a target for the Sri Lankan team. Hashim Amla made a century, and with the help of Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers' crucial half-centuries, South Africa was able to reach a respectable total of 301 runs despite losing eight wickets in the process.

Sri Lanka never got off the mark when chasing a run-a-ball score, and they lost both of their openers without scoring a single run. The batters kept losing their wickets at regular intervals, and just one of them managed to achieve a score in the double digits. Morne Morkel grabbed four wickets while only allowing 10 runs to be scored, which resulted in Sri Lanka being bowled out for a paltry score of 43.

Pakistan vs. West Indies - Cape Town 1993 (Pakistan – 43 runs)

After just emerging from the dark days of apartheid, South Africa was welcomed back into the world of international cricket. A triangular series was hosted in Africa, and West Indies and Pakistan were invited to participate.

It was the ninth match of the competition, and West Indies won the toss. They chose to field first after making their decision. Pakistan quickly fell behind and was eventually dismissed with just 43 runs to their name. It was Zahid Fazal's turn at bat, and he was the one who managed to score some runs. Courtney Walsh emerged as the most dangerous player for the West Indies, taking four wickets while allowing just 16 runs to score.

Later, the West Indies successfully chased the goal with seven wickets in hand, with Brian Lara leading the way with 26 runs scored.

Zimbabwe vs. Bangladesh - Chittagong 2009 (Zimbabwe – 44 runs)

Zimbabwe triumphed in the coin toss and decided to bat first in the third one-day international of the bilateral series. On the other hand, Bowlers from Bangladesh had alternative strategies in mind. They restricted the opposition to 44 runs because of the strong performance of all four bowlers, each of whom took a wicket.

After losing four wickets on their way to victory, Bangladesh could effortlessly chase down the score and win the match. Nazmul Hassan was named the Man of the match because of his disciplined performance, in which he took two wickets while only allowing 10 runs over the course of six overs, two of which were maidens.

Australia vs. Namibia - Potchefstroom 2003 (Namibia – 45 runs)

It was the Cricket Cricket World Cup in 2003, and Australia was in a solid position to take the trophy. They played Namibia, a team with a low ranking, at Potchefstroom, and after winning the toss, they decided to bat first on a favourable surface.

Matthew Hayden got the most runs for Australia with 88, while hard-hitting deeper down the order from Andrew Symonds and Darren Lehmann brought Australia's score to 301.

When asked to chase down a high mark, Namibia was bowled out for 45 runs, and Glenn McGrath was awarded the Man of the Match award and took seven wickets while only allowing 15 runs.

Sri Lanka vs. India - Sharjah 2000 (India – 54 runs)

It was a competition, the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy, staged in the United Arab Emirates. The championship match was between Sri Lanka and India, and when Sri Lanka's captain Sanath Jayasuriya won the toss, he decided his team would bat first. India came in second place.

Jayasuriya struck a staggering 189 runs, bringing his team's total to 299 runs despite losing five wickets. In their response, India only managed to score 54 runs over the course of 26 overs. Except for Robin Singh, none of the other Indian batters was able to reach double figures in their score. As is his custom, Vaas collected five wickets for Sri Lanka, but Jayasuriya was named Man of the match for his outstanding performance with the bat.

This match also holds the record for the lowest score ever achieved in a One-Day International match.

USA vs. Nepal- Kirtipur 2020 (USA- 35 runs)

At the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on February 12, 2020, the USA cricket team tied the record for the lowest ODI score against the Nepalese hosts. When allowed to bat, the USA batsmen offered no resistance and were dismissed for 35 runs in 12 overs, creating a history of lowest score in ODI cricket. 

With 16 runs, USA's opener Xavier Marshall led the team in scoring. Sandeep Lamichhane and Sushan Bhari, two spinners for Nepal, each claimed six and four wickets. Within six overs, Nepal had eight wickets to secure victory.

Zimbabwe vs. Australia (Potchefstroom, 45)

Australia defeated Zimbabwe by 256 runs in the 31st match of the 9th World Cup on February 27, 2003, in Potchefstroom, after bowling their batsmen out for 45. Australia batted first earlier and recorded a score of 301/6. With 7 wickets for 15, Glenn McGrath was Australia's most effective bowler. Brett Lee (91/26) and Andy Bichel (2/0) claimed the other wickets as Australia won by 256 runs.

Also Read: Longest Six in Cricket History

India's Lowest Score in ODI

India lost to Sri Lanka in Kanpur, all out at 78.

On December 24, 1986, India and Sri Lanka met in Kanpur for the opening game of a five-game series. The series consisted of one match each. India decided to bowl first after they won the toss and performed a reasonably fantastic job with the ball throughout the match. While Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma both took two wickets, Maninder Singh was the only bowler to collect more than one. The match was shortened to 46 overs, as Sri Lanka could only score 195/8 in that time.

In their attempt to reach the goal, India got off to a shaky start, and they could not make up for the early wickets they lost. The bowlers from Sri Lanka did a fantastic job overall. Consequently, India was dismissed for just 78 runs and lost the match by 117 runs. The "Man of the Match" award went to Arjuna Ranatunga, who had four wickets.

India lost to Australia in Sydney, all out for 63 runs.

At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India and Australia were competing in the 9th match of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup. After winning the coin toss, the Men in Yellow decided that they would bowl first, and they ended up proving that their option was the correct one. India had a terrible day on the playing field, and as a result, they recorded one of the lowest scores. They were eliminated after scoring 63 runs.

India was bowled out for 13 runs after losing their last six wickets. In their attempt to reach the goal score, Australia completed the task in 21 overs and ultimately prevailed in the match by scoring nine wickets and 174 balls. The "Man of the Match" award went to Greg Chappell, who not only scored 33 runs but also took five wickets and scored 5/15.

Sri Lanka defeated India by 54 runs (India’s lowest in ODI cricket)

The last match of the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy, which took place in Sharjah and featured India and Sri Lanka, had the lowest combined score. After winning the coin toss, Sri Lanka elected to bat first and got off to a strong start in their innings. The left-handed batsman scored 189 runs off 161 balls, hitting 21 fours and four sixes among his other hits. Sanath Jayasuriya posted the best score he's ever had in an ODI, and Sri Lanka finished their 50 overs with 299/5.

In their attempt to reach the goal, the Indians' strategies were disastrously flawed. They suffered two losses at the hands of Sri Lanka during this competition and failed to win the championship match. However, this was a defeat that the Men in Blue should be ashamed of. India was knocked out of the match after scoring 54 runs and losing by 245 runs.

India lost to Pakistan, all out at 79

Back when the 50-over format was first introduced. In actuality, this was the 55th ODI game in history. On a challenging Sialkot pitch, India entered the batting first but created the lowest score in ODI cricket. And nobody else even managed to reach the two-digit level, except Mohinder Amarnath and Yashpal Sharma. Pakistan defeated their opponent by 8 wickets with 199 balls remaining and India lowest score in odi was created. 

India lost to New Zealand, all out for 88 runs. 

Ross Taylor and Scott Styris combined for 95 and 89 of the 288 runs that New Zealand scored against the Indians. In response, a strong Indian team was dismissed for just 88 runs in 29.3 overs, creating India lowest score in ODI. Ross Taylor's heroics earned him the title of Man of the Match. 

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