In a historic match that took place on 18 February 2025, the USA set a new world record in defending the lowest score ever recorded in ODI cricket. The team managed to defend a total of just 122 runs against Oman and won the match by 57 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League.
The record was previously held by India for 40 long years when they defended 125 runs against Pakistan in 1985 and won the match by 38 runs.
After Oman won the toss and chose to field first, the USA met with an early trouble losing wickets quickly with a score of 21 runs at 5 wickets. Milind Kumar came to the rescue and scored 47 runs along with others who made it possible for the team to reach 22 runs.
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Nosthush Kenjige gave his career-best performance during the match and took 5 wickets for 11 runs, being a key contributor in the USA’s defence. They proved that low scores can also prove to be a treasure if the bowling is top-notch.
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This game was also the first in 4761 matches where no fast bowler bowled a single ball as all the bowlers used were spinners which is also a record-breaking feat for spinners with 19 wickets falling. It broke a previously set record of the most wickets taken by ODI spinners in 2011.
The total aggregate runs which is 187 in 61 overs by both teams is the second-lowest in the ODI history after 2014 between India and Bangladesh with a combined score of 163 runs in 41 overs.
On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 lowest defended scores in history.
5 Lowest Scores Successfully Defended in ODIs
| Winning Team | Total | Losing Team | Total | Year |
| USA | 122 (35.3) | Oman | 65 (25.3) | 2025 |
| India | 125 (42.4) | Pakistan | 87 (32.5) | 1985 |
| West Indies | 127 (47.2) | England | 125 (48.2) | 1981 |
| South Africa | 129 (41.4) | England | 115 (43.4) | 1996 |
| Zimbabwe | 129 (32.4) | Afghanistan | 126 (29.3) | 2017 |
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025 IND vs BAN Fantasy 11 Prediction
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