ODIs are a great balance between Tests and T20s. While it exhibits key cricketing qualities like innings building and mind games, it also has entertaining factors like death bowling and hard-hitting in the final overs. As such, there have been instances when there have been batting collapses in the 50-over format. Here are the three lowest totals in ODIs.
3. Canada – 36 all out in 18.4 overs (2003)
In the 18th game of the 2003’s ODI World Cup, Canada and Sri Lanka faced each other in the Boland Bank Park. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first, dropping one of the most classic World Cup bowling performances. They bowled Canada out for 36 runs in 18.4 overs as no Canada batters could reach double figures, with six of them getting out for a duck. Prabath Nisanka remained the pick of the bowlers returning with four wickets. In reply, Sri Lanka chased the total down inside five overs but lost their skipper Sanath Jayasuriya on the way. Sri Lanka won the game by nine wickets as Canada’s 36 all-out created a new record of being the lowest total in ODIs then.
2. USA – 35 all out in 12 overs (2020)
In the 30th game of the 2020 Men’s ODI World Cup League 2, the USA faced Nepal in Kirtipur. Nepal won the toss and elected to field first, a decision they would not regret. They dropped a sensational performance with the ball restricting USA to just 35 runs in 12 overs. Opener Xavier Marshall aside, no other USA batter could reach double figures as Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane and Sushan Bhari glided through USA’s batting line-up, picking up six and four wickets, respectively. Nepal, in reply, got off to a disastrous start losing both their openers for two runs on the board. However, Paras Khadka and Dipendra Singh Airee led their rescue mission, chasing the target within 5.2 overs. USA’s 35 is the joint lowest score in ODIs.
1. Zimbabwe – 35 all out in 18 overs (2004)
In the third ODI of 2004’s Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe, the visitors won the toss and elected to field first. Sri Lanka led a rampage through Zimbabwe’s batting line-up as the hosts were all cleaned up inside 18 overs with 35 runs on the board. Zimbabwe thrashed a record they would not have wanted to – Canada’s record for the lowest total in ODIs. Although the score is the same as USA’s total in 2020, a lower run rate puts Zimbabwe in the first position on this list. Sri Lanka chased the target down in 9.2 overs losing Russel Arnold on the way. The visitors won the game by nine wickets and extended their lead in the series to 3-0.