5 Lowest scores in the history of ODIs

Sri Lanka are responsible for 3 out of the 5 lowest scores recorded in ODIs,

5 Lowest scores in the history of ODIs

Kusal Mendis is bowled as Sri Lanka put up the 10th lowest ODI (Image via Cricinfo)

In the early years of One Day Internationals, batsmen used to put a high price on their wicket. The main aim of batsmen was to make sure they didn’t lose their wicket, but at the same time score according to the situation. In the first ICC ODI World Cup, the average run rate was 3.98, while the strike rate was usually around 60. 

But in the 52 years of ODIs, teams progressively have scoring runs at a faster rate. In the 1970s, a challenging total to chase down used to be anywhere between 190-230 runs, but in modern ODI cricket that total wouldn’t be a huge problem. A score of 300 is currently viewed as chaseable while various teams have also crossed 400 runs in an innings. 

https://youtu.be/2sDKIGf2Iv8?si=m7kMJiwsMjfgtXMl
RankScoreTeam  AgainstYearOvers 
135ZimbabweSri Lanka200418
235USANepal202012
336CanadaSri Lanka200318.4
438ZimbabweSri Lanka200115.4
543Sri LankaSouth Africa201220.1
643PakistanWest Indies199319.5
744ZimbabweBangladesh200324.5
845CanadaEngland197940.3
945NamibiaAustralia200314
1050Sri LankaIndia202315.2

Related: Top 5 batters with most centuries in ODIs

Lowest scores in the history of ODIs

Unfortunately, there are still teams with terrible batting displays that get in the record books for the wrong reason. This is the list for the lowest scores in the history of One Day Internationals

5. Sri Lanka (43 in 20.1 overs): 

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Morne Morkel celebrates Angelo Mathews’ wicket (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

While chasing a target of 302, Sri Lanka were bowled out in 20 overs. They managed to score only 43. A brutal opening spell by Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe saw Sri Lanka lose their first 6 wickets in the first 8 overs. In the next 12 overs, Sri Lanka lost their remaining 4 wickets thanks to Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Robin Peterson. Morne Morkel finished as the highest wicket taker, with 4 wickets. 

4. Zimbabwe (43 in 15.4 overs): 

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Travis Head is bowled by Muralitharan (Image via ESPNcricinifo)

Being sent to bat first, Chaminda Vaas registered his best bowling figures of 8-19. The Zimbabwean team had 5 batsmen depart for a duck, with the highest scorer, Captain Stuart Carlisle, only putting up 16  runs. Sri Lankan legend, Muthiah Muralitharan had picked up the remaining 2 wickets in the first 4 balls he bowled. 

3. Canada (36 in 18.4 balls) 

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The Sri Lankan Team celebrates bowling Canada all out for 36 (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

This occurred in the 2003 ICC ODI World Cup, with Canada scoring their lowest score in ODIs. Sri Lanka elected to bowl first and what followed was a pace bowling masterclass by Chaminda Vaas and Prabath Nisanka bowled 14 overs in tandem, with Vaas picking up 3 wickets while Nisanka picking up 4. Muthiah Muralitharan picked up one wicket, while pacer Dilhara Fernando got 2 wickets. 

2. USA (35 in 12 overs) 

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Sandeep Lamichhane picked up 6 wickets (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

While playing Nepal in the ICC Mens’ Cricket World Cup League 2, USA posted the lowest score in ODIs, tied with Zimbabwe. Being sent to bat first, USA were bowled out for 35 runs. Thanks to Sandeep Lamichhane’s 6/16 and Sushan Bhari’s 4/5, USA were bowled out in 12 overs.

1. Zimbabwe (35 in 18 overs) 

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Chaminda Vaas celebrates a wicket (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Sri Lanka’s opening spells by Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando got 5 Zimbabwean wickets in their first 9 overs. Chaminda Vaas had picked up 4 wickets while Fernando and Farveez Maharoof picked up 3 each. Sri Lanka chased down the score in 9.2 overs.

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