Cricket is known for its high-scoring matches and nail-biting finishes, but every now and then, a team ends up on the wrong side of history, recording the lowest score in one-day international (ODI) cricket.
The ODI format, which consists of 50 overs per innings, is known for its fast-paced action and high-scoring games. However, there have been instances where teams have been unable to put up a decent score, resulting in some of the lowest scores in ODI history.
In this article, we will take a look at the teams that have set the unwanted record for the lowest ODI scores and the matches in which they achieved this dubious distinction.
Lowest Scores in One-Day Internationals
| Position | Team | Score | Overs | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| 1 | Zimbabwe | 35 | 18 | v Sri Lanka | Harare | 25 Apr 2004 |
| 2 | U.S.A. | 35 | 12 | v Nepal | Kirtipur | 12 Feb 2020 |
| 3 | Canada | 36 | 18.4 | v Sri Lanka | Paarl | 19 Feb 2003 |
| 4 | Zimbabwe | 38 | 15.4 | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 8 Dec 2001 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 43 | 20.1 | v South Africa | Paarl | 11 Jan 2012 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 43 | 19.5 | v West Indies | Cape Town | 25 Feb 1993 |
| 7 | Zimbabwe | 44 | 24.5 | v Bangladesh | Chattogram | 3 Nov 2009 |
| 8 | Canada | 45 | 40.3 | v England | Manchester | 13 Jun 1979 |
| 9 | Namibia | 45 | 14 | v Australia | Potchefstroom | 27 Feb 2003 |
| 10 | India | 54 | 26.3 | v Sri Lanka | Sharjah | 29 Oct 2000 |
Match Summaries
1 – Zimbabwe – On 25th April 2004, during the 3rd One Day International of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe, the hosts, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 35 at Harare Sports Club, recording the lowest score in ODI history. Sri Lanka chose to field first and Zimbabwe was unable to put up any resistance, as none of the players scored in double figures with Dion Ebrahim being the highest scorer with 7 runs. The Sri Lankan bowlers were on fire with Chaminda Vaas picking 4 wickets and Farveez Maharoof taking 3 wickets. Sri Lanka chased down the total in 9.2 overs and won the match by 9 wickets.
2 – U.S.A – On 12th Feb 2020, in the United States of America(USA) tour of Nepal, USA were bowled out for 35 against the hosts in the One Day International game, equalling the record for the lowest score in ODI set by Zimbabwe in 2004. USA, batting first, was unable to put up any resistance as all of the batsmen failed to reach double figures with opener Xavier Marshall being the highest scorer with 16 runs. For Nepal, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was the wrecker-in-chief as he picked 6 wickets for 16 runs in his 6 overs. Nepal easily chased down the total in 5.2 overs and won the match by 8 wickets.
3 – Canada – On 19th Feb 2003, during a group match of the Cricket World Cup, Canada were bowled out for 36 by Sri Lanka in Paarl, this score was a record low until Zimbabwe beat it in 2004. Sri Lanka chose to field first, and the Canadian team was unable to put up any resistance against the Sri Lankan bowlers, who had an all-round display. Prabath Nissanka claimed four wickets while Chaminda Vaas took three wickets for Sri Lanka. None of the Canada batters reached double figures, with opener Desmond Chumney top scoring with 9 runs. In response, Marvan Attapatu (24) and Kumar Sangakkara (4) helped Sri Lanka to power to a 9 wicket win.
4 – Zimbabwe – On 8th December 2001, during the Sri Lanka tour of Zimbabwe, the host team Zimbabwe were bowled out for 38 by Sri Lanka in the One Day International game at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka had elected to field first and the Zimbabwean team was unable to put up a strong resistance. The Sri Lankan bowlers were on fire, with pacers and spinners taking wickets regularly. For Zimbabwe, none of the players reached double figures and the team was skittled out in no time. In reply, Sri Lanka chased down the total in just 6.4 overs with 9 wickets in hand, thus winning the match comfortably.
5 – Sri Lanka – On 11th Jan 2012, during the South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, the host team Sri Lanka were bowled out for a record low of 43 by South Africa in the One Day International game at Boland Park in Paarl. South Africa had won the toss and elected to field first, and the Sri Lankan team was unable to put up any resistance against the Proteas’ bowlers. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel picked 4 wickets each, and the rest of the bowlers took one wicket each, as the Sri Lanka team was bundled out in just 18 overs. The highest scorer for Sri Lanka was Dilshan who scored 7 runs. In reply, South Africa chased down the total in just 5.4 overs and won the match with 9 wickets in hand.
6 – Pakistan – On 25th Feb 1993, during the West Indies tour of Pakistan, the host team Pakistan were bowled out for a record low of 43 by West Indies in the One Day International game at National Stadium, Karachi. West Indies had won the toss and elected to field first, and the Pakistani team was unable to put up any resistance against the West Indian bowlers. Courtney Walsh picked up 4 wickets and Curtly Ambrose took 3 wickets as Pakistan was bundled out in just 17.3 overs. The highest scorer for Pakistan was Saleem Malik who scored 11 runs. In reply, West Indies chased down the total in just 6.3 overs and won the match with 9 wickets in hand. This score was the lowest score in ODI cricket history for 15 years, until Zimbabwe beat it in 2018.
7 – Zimbabwe – On 3rd Nov 2009, during the Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe, the host team Zimbabwe were bowled out for 44 by Bangladesh in the One Day International game in Chattogram. Bangladesh had won the toss and elected to field first, and the Zimbabwean team was unable to put up any resistance against the Bangladeshi bowlers. Shakib Al Hasan picked up 2 wickets and Syed Rasel took 1 wickets as Zimbabwe only managed to accumulate 44 after 50 overs.
