The Top ten lowest team totals in the history of ODI

1. Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka- 35 runs

On April 25, 2004, in the third ODI of a five-match series between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, held at Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe was invited to bat because Sri Lanka won the toss. Zimbabwe was dismissed for a mere 35 runs in just 12.1 overs, marking the lowest total ever recorded in an ODI at that time. Chaminda Vaas secured 5 wickets for 13 runs, and Marvan Atapattu and Upul Tharanga each claimed two wickets. Sri Lanka efficiently chased down the target of 36 runs in just 7.5 overs, losing only one wicket. Jayasuriya contributed 24 not out from 18 balls, while Marvan Atapattu scored an unbeaten 12 not out from 10 balls. This victory gave Sri Lanka a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. So, Zimbabwe became the first lowest team total in ODI history.

2. USA vs Nepal- 35 runs

On February 12, 2020, in the 30th match of the 2019–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, the United States of America faced Nepal at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Nepal. The USA was invited to bat because Nepal won the toss. The United States team was dismissed for a mere 35 runs in just 12 overs, marking their lowest total in ODI cricket at the time. Sandeep Lamichhane put up an outstanding performance, taking 6 wickets for 22 runs, which were his best bowling figures in an ODI match. In reply, Nepal efficiently chased down the target of 36 runs in only 5.2 overs, losing just two wickets. Kushal Malla played a key role, scoring an unbeaten 25 runs from 20 balls. Nepal secured victory in the match by 8 wickets, extending their lead to 3-1 in the series.

3. Canada vs Sri Lanka- 36 runs

On February 19, 2003, in the 18th match of the 2002-03 ICC Cricket World Cup, Canada faced Sri Lanka at Boland Park in Paarl, South Africa. Canada Was invited to bat because Sri Lanka won the toss. Canada’s innings saw them being bowled out for a mere 36 runs in 18.4 overs, marking the lowest total ever recorded in an ODI at the time. Prabath Nissanka was the standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 12 runs, while Chaminda Vaas and Marvan Atapattu secured three wickets each. Sri Lanka efficiently chased down the target of 37 runs in just 4.4 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. Marvan Atapattu played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 24 runs from 14 balls, while Sanath Jayasuriya contributed 9 not out from 10 balls. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the match, winning by 9 wickets and furthering their lead to 3-0 in the group stage.

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4. Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka- 38 runs

On December 8, 2001, the inaugural match of the LG Abans Triangular Series unfolded at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, featuring Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe was invited to bat because Sri Lanka won the toss. What followed was a historic moment in cricket history, as Zimbabwe’s batting lineup crumbled, resulting in their record-low ODI total of just 38 runs in 15.4 overs. This dismal performance was primarily attributed to the exceptional bowling prowess of Chaminda Vaas, who achieved an astonishing 8 wickets for just 19 runs.

Vaas not only set the record for the best bowling figures in an ODI innings but also established a new world record for the most wickets taken in a single ODI innings, surpassing Muttiah Muralitharan’s previous record of 7/30. Sri Lanka was swift and decisive. They efficiently chased down the meager target of 39 runs in just 4.2 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. Marvan Atapattu’s unbeaten 23 runs and Sanath Jayasuriya’s 13 not out secured Sri Lanka’s victory by a convincing 9-wicket margin, making this match a memorable chapter in the annals of ODI cricket.

5. Sri Lanka vs South Africa- 43 runs

On January 11, 2012, in the first match of a 5-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and South Africa, hosted at Boland Park in Paarl, South Africa, Sri Lanka was invited to bowl because South Africa  won the toss. South Africa managed to post a total of 301 runs while losing 8 wickets in their allocated 50 overs. Hashim Amla was the highest scorer with 113 runs, and JP Duminy and AB de Villiers contributed 50 and 46 runs, respectively.

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 60 runs. In response, Sri Lanka faced a batting collapse, being dismissed for just 43 runs in 21.1 overs, marking their lowest ODI total at the time. Morne Morkel was the chief architect of their downfall, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs, while Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir each claimed 3 wickets. South Africa registered a dominant victory in the match, winning by an enormous margin of 258 runs.

6. Pakistan vs West Indies- 43 runs

On February 25, 1993, in the 9th match of the Total International Series 1992/93, Pakistan faced West Indies at Sahara Park Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa. Opting to field first after winning the toss, West Indies witnessed Pakistan’s batting struggle, as they were dismissed for a mere 43 runs in just 19.5 overs, establishing their lowest ODI total at the time. Waqar Younis stood out with a performance of 4/11, while Curtly Ambrose contributed with 3/12. West Indies efficiently chased down the modest target of 45 runs in 12.3 overs, losing only three wickets in the process. Brian Lara led the way with an unbeaten 26 runs, while Desmond Haynes and Richie Richardson added 13 and 11 not out, respectively. West Indies clinched victory in the match with a 7-wicket win.

7. Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh- 44 runs

On 3 November 2009,  Bangladesh was invited to bowl as Sri Lanka won the toss.  However, they suffered a significant setback, being all out for just 44 runs in 24.5 overs, marking their lowest-ever ODI total up to that point. This remarkably low score was primarily attributed to the exceptional bowling performance by the Bangladeshi bowlers, with Abdur Razzak being the standout, claiming 4 wickets for a mere 9 runs.

8. Canada vs England- 45 runs

In the 1979 Cricket World Cup, Canada and England faced off on June 13. Canada was invited to bat first as England won the toss. Canada had a tough time, scoring only 45 runs, their lowest total in a one-day international at that time. Chris Old and Bob Willis were England’s star bowlers, each taking 4 wickets. England, chased down the small target of 46 runs quite easily in just 13.5 overs, losing only two wickets. Geoff Boycott and Graham Gooch were the key players for England, with Boycott scoring 14 not out and Gooch contributing 21 not out. The match ended with England winning by 8 wickets at Old Trafford in Manchester.

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9. Nambia vs Australia- 45 runs

On February 27, 2003, in the 31st match of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Namibia faced Australia at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Namibia was invited to bowl first as the toss was won by Australia. Australia managed to amass a total of 301 runs while losing 6 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Matthew Hayden was the leading run-scorer with 88 runs, and Adam Gilchrist and Darren Lehmann contributed 51 and 47 runs, respectively.

Bjorn Kotze stood out among Namibia’s bowlers, securing 2 wickets for 36 runs. Namibia’s batting lineup struggled and was dismissed for just 45 runs in 14 overs, establishing their lowest ODI total at that time. Glenn McGrath delivered a phenomenal performance, claiming 7 wickets for a mere 15 runs, setting a new record for the best bowling performance by an Australian bowler in an ODI innings. Australia emerged victorious with an emphatic 256-run win in the match. So, Niambi became the ninth lowest team total in ODI history.

10. Sri Lanka vs India- 50 runs

The match between Sri Lanka and India on September 17, 2023, was the final of the 2023 Asia Cup. The match was held at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was invited to bat because India won the toss. Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 50 runs in 14.1 overs, which was their lowest total in an ODI innings at the time. Mohammed Siraj took 6 wickets for 21 runs, which was the best bowling performance by an Indian bowler in an ODI innings at the time. India chased down the target of 51 runs in just 6.1 overs, losing only one wicket. Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill scored 29 and 21 runs respectively. India won the match by 10 wickets. So, Sri Lanka became the  tenth lowest team total in ODI history.

SCORE	TEAM	OPPONENT	DATE	VENUE
35	ZIMBABWE	SRI LANKA	25 APRIL, 2004	HARARE
35	USA	NEPAL	12 FEBRUARY, 2020	KIRTIPUR
36	CANADA	SRI LANKA	19 FEBRUARY, 2003	PAARL
38	ZIMBABWE	SRI LANKA	8 DECEMBER, 2001	COLOMBO (SSC)
43	SRI LANKA	SOUTH AFRICA	11 JANUARY, 2012	PAARL
43	PAKISTAN	WEST INDIES	25 FEBRUARY, 1993	CAPE TOWN
44	ZIMBABWE	BANGLADESH	3 NOVEMBER, 2009	CHATTOGRAM
45	CANADI	ENGLAND	13 JUNE, 1979	MANCHESTER
45	NIAMBI	AUSTRALIA	27 FEBRUARY, 2003	POTCHEFSTROOM
50	SRI LANKA	INDIA	17 SEPTEMBER, 2023	COLOMBO (RPS)

 

In conclusion, these are the ten lowest team totals in the history of ODI and created history.