Cricket, a game of glorious uncertainties, has seen teams scale the highest peaks and plummet to the lowest troughs. While high scores are celebrated, low totals provide a testament to the game’s unpredictability. This article sheds light on some of the lowest scores in ODI cricket, including a recent shocker from the 2023 World Cup.
Contents
Top 10 Lowest Team Scores in ODI Cricket HistoryA Closer Look at Each Match1. Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, 20042. Canada vs. Sri Lanka, 20033. Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, 20014. Pakistan vs. West Indies, 19935. Namibia vs. Australia, 20036. Canada vs. England, 20037. India vs. Sri Lanka, 20008. West Indies vs. South Africa, 20049. Sri Lanka vs. India, 2023 World Cup10. Bangladesh vs. India, 2011Trivia and RecordsFinal Words
Top 10 Lowest Team Scores in ODI Cricket History
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zimbabwe | 35 | Sri Lanka | Harare | 2004 |
| 2 | Canada | 36 | Sri Lanka | Boland Park | 2003 |
| 3 | Zimbabwe | 38 | Sri Lanka | SSC, Colombo | 2001 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 43 | West Indies | Cape Town | 1993 |
| 5 | Namibia | 45 | Australia | Potchefstroom | 2003 |
| 6 | Canada | 44 | England | East London | 2003 |
| 7 | India | 54 | Sri Lanka | Sharjah | 2000 |
| 8 | West Indies | 54 | South Africa | Cape Town | 2004 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 55 | India | Wankhede | 2023 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 58 | India | Mirpur | 2011 |
| 11 | Bangladesh | 58 | West Indies | Mirpur | 2011 |
A Closer Look at Each Match
1. Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, 2004
- Context: Zimbabwe, grappling with internal cricket politics, faced a formidable Sri Lankan side.
- Key Players: Muttiah Muralitharan was the star for Sri Lanka, taking 4 wickets.
- Turning Points: The continuous fall of wickets without any significant partnerships led to Zimbabwe’s downfall.
- Bowling Performance: The Sri Lankan bowlers, especially Muralitharan and Vaas, exploited the conditions well.
2. Canada vs. Sri Lanka, 2003
- Context: Canada, not a traditional cricketing powerhouse, faced the might of the Sri Lankan team.
- Key Players: Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were instrumental in restricting Canada.
- Turning Points: Early wickets without much on the board put Canada on the back foot.
- Bowling Performance: The Sri Lankan bowlers were relentless, with Vaas picking up crucial wickets.
3. Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, 2001
- Context: At the Sinhalese Sports Club, Zimbabwe struggled against a strong Sri Lankan bowling attack.
- Key Players: Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan were the chief architects of Zimbabwe’s collapse.
- Turning Points: Regular wickets without any resistance led to Zimbabwe’s low total.
- Bowling Performance: Vaas’s swing and Muralitharan’s spin proved too much for the Zimbabwean batsmen.
4. Pakistan vs. West Indies, 1993
- Context: In Cape Town, Pakistan, known for their unpredictable nature, faced a fierce West Indian bowling attack.
- Key Players: Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh terrorized the Pakistani batsmen.
- Turning Points: The top order’s failure to handle the West Indian pace attack set the tone for the innings.
- Bowling Performance: Ambrose’s pace and bounce were particularly challenging for the batsmen to handle.
5. Namibia vs. Australia, 2003
- Context: Namibia, playing against the world champions Australia, found it tough to handle the Australian bowlers.
- Key Players: Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were the standout bowlers.
- Turning Points: The inability of the Namibian batsmen to handle pace and bounce was evident.
- Bowling Performance: McGrath’s accuracy and Lee’s speed were the highlights of the match.
6. Canada vs. England, 2003
- Context: Canada, trying to make a mark in world cricket, struggled against a seasoned English side.
- Key Players: James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff were pivotal in dismantling the Canadian batting.
- Turning Points: The early loss of wickets set the tone for the rest of the innings.
- Bowling Performance: Anderson’s swing and Flintoff’s all-round performance were the talking points.
7. India vs. Sri Lanka, 2000
- Context: In Sharjah, a venue known for producing high-scoring matches, India was bundled out for a paltry score.
- Key Players: Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan were once again the destroyers-in-chief.
- Turning Points: The middle order’s collapse under the pressure of the Lankan spinners was crucial.
- Bowling Performance: Muralitharan’s spin wizardry was on full display as he bamboozled the Indian batsmen.
8. West Indies vs. South Africa, 2004
- Context: The West Indies, once the kings of cricket, faced a disciplined South African bowling attack.
- Key Players: Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini were the main threats.
- Turning Points: The top order’s inability to handle the moving ball was evident.
- Bowling Performance: Pollock’s experience and Ntini’s aggression were too much for the Windies.
9. Sri Lanka vs. India, 2023 World Cup
- Context: In the ongoing World Cup, Sri Lanka faced a formidable Indian side at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
- Key Players: The Indian pace attack, led by Mohammed Shami, was instrumental in restricting Sri Lanka.
- Turning Points: Regular loss of wickets without any significant partnerships hurt Sri Lanka.
- Bowling Performance: The Indian bowlers showcased their skills, making the most of the conditions.
10. Bangladesh vs. India, 2011
- Context: In Mirpur, Bangladesh, despite the home advantage, couldn’t handle the Indian bowlers.
- Key Players: Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh were the standout performers.
- Turning Points: The middle order’s collapse under pressure was the game’s defining moment.
- Bowling Performance: Khan’s swing and Singh’s off-spin were the highlights.
Trivia and Records
- Frequent Entries: Zimbabwe and Canada have found themselves on the wrong side of history multiple times, with several entries in the lowest scores list.
- Bowling Brilliance: Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan have been instrumental in causing two of the top 10 lowest scores, showcasing their dominance in the early 2000s.
- World Cup Woes: The World Cup, cricket’s biggest stage, has witnessed some of these low scores, adding to the pressure and unpredictability of the tournament.
Final Words
Cricket is a game of uncertainties. While teams aim for dominance, days of underperformance are inevitable. These lowest scores, while not a proud moment, are a testament to the game’s unpredictability and the balance between bat and ball. They serve as a reminder that in cricket, as in life, there are highs and lows, and it’s the ability to bounce back that defines greatness.
