In many ways, cricket has evolved over the years. With grounds becoming shorter and bowlers being restricted to bowling a set number of overs per innings across all formats. Here are the top ten shortest One-Day International (ODI) matches of all time.
In many ways, cricket has evolved over the years. With grounds becoming shorter and bowlers being restricted to bowling a set number of overs per innings across all formats. There were previously 8-balls over, which was later reduced to 6-balls over. While test cricket was the first international cricket format to be played between nations.
The ODI format of cricket was introduced later in time, around the same time as the Kerry-packer world cricket series began. After test cricket, one-day international cricket (ODI) is the sport’s second-oldest format.
Each team must take 10-wickets to win a 50-overs match. Although test cricket is a pure form of cricket, it was during ODI cricket that spectators witnessed surreal records, emotions, and drama like they had never seen before in cricket.
All-Time Top 10 Shortest ODI Matches.
Many teams labeled as minnows have defeated world heavyweights in nail-biting matches. While there have been times when the team has posted the fewest number of runs on the scoreboard, which was not expected by anyone.
Having said that, here are the top ten shortest one-day cricket matches in history.
1. Zimbabwe Vs Sri Lanka ODI 2001.
Let us begin with the famous match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, which is also remembered for left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vass’s brilliant bowling spell, in which he became the first player in his country to take a hat trick.
To make matters worse, Vass recorded his career-best figures of 8 wickets for 19 runs (it is still the record intact and under the Vass name).
It was a triangular tournament involving Sri Lanka (hosts), the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. The tournament began with a match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo. After winning the toss, the hosts elected to bowl first so as not to waste the captain’s time.
Chaminda Vass, Sri Lanka’s frontline bowler, humiliated the opposition team, limiting them to their lowest-ever ODI score of 38 runs in 15.4 overs. In one of the shortest ODI matches in history, Sri Lanka chased down a 39-run target in 4.2 overs with one wicket lost.
2. Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh 2009.
It was a 5-match One-Day International (ODI) series, and the hosts (Bangladesh) were already up 2-1 before the fourth game. Zimbabwe still had a chance to win the series from here, so they decided to bat first after winning the toss, but they quickly ran into trouble when they lost four wickets for eight runs.
To make matters worse, they’ve lost the last six wickets for a total of 12 runs after losing Stuart Matsikenyeri for 32 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets for eight runs as Zimbabwe were all out for 44 runs. Bangladesh responded by losing four wickets for less than five runs, but they chased down the target with six wickets in hand, taking a crucial 3-1 series lead.
3. Canada vs Sri Lanka 2003
It was the 18th game of the 2003 World Cup, and Sri Lanka faced off against Canada. Sri Lanka’s captain won the toss and chose to bowl first, and Canada lost six wickets for a total of 12 runs before they could comprehend anything.
Canada’s final four wickets only managed to add 24 runs to the scoreboard before being bowled out for 36 runs.
In response, Sri Lanka easily chased down the target, taking 9 wickets in 4.4 overs. Chaminda Vass took three wickets for 15 runs in his first spell of the game.
4. Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka ODI 2004.
Both teams met again in a three-match One-Day International series. Sri Lanka visited Zimbabwe for a test and a one-day international series. Sri Lanka easily won both contests.
The third ODI of the series, however, is widely remembered for having the lowest ever score in ODI cricket history. Without hesitation, Sri Lanka’s captain won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Zimbabwe was looking good at 18/1, but then they had an absurd collapse in which they bowled out the first innings score of 35 runs. They’ve lost 9 wickets for a total of 17 runs.
In response, Sri Lanka chased down the target of 36 runs with 9 wickets in hand to complete a 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe. Chaminda Vass took four wickets for 11 runs once more.
5. Bangladesh vs West Indies ODI 2011.
It was a three-match ODI series, and the visitors (West Indies) had already won 2-0. The final game was played in Chittagong. It was the same match in which Carlos Brathwaite made his West Indies ODI debut.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first, limiting the West Indies to 61 runs thanks to the brilliant bowling of Shakib Al Hasan, who returned with four wickets for 16 runs.
In response, Bangladesh chased the target down with 8 wickets in hand. Shakib Al Hasan was named Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.
6. Bangladesh vs West Indies ODI 2011.
Previously, Bangladesh humiliated the West Indies with the lowest score on their home turf. Both teams faced off in World Cup 2011 match number 19. The Bangladesh captain won the toss and chose to bat first, but their strategy backfired when they were bundled out for 58 runs.
In response, the West Indies chased the target down with 9 wickets in hand. Kemar Roach was named Man of the Match after taking three wickets for 19 runs. Sulieman Benn took four wickets for 18 runs.
7. Kenya vs Canada ODI 2007.
It was the 2006 season of the ICC World Cricket Division One between the associate cricket teams that qualified for the 2007 World Cup. Kenya and Canada (visitors) were bowled out for 92 runs in the second innings of the 14th match of the division after Kenya decided to bat first and set a target of 251 runs.
Thomas Odoyo took four wickets for 39 runs and was named Man of the Match for his performance. Peter Ongondo, on the other hand, took 5 wickets for 51 runs.
8. Bermuda vs Canada ODI 2007.
Another ICC World Cricket Division One series pits Bermuda against Canada. Since the match had been reduced to 21-21 overs due to rain, BER elected to bowl first after winning the toss. With the loss of eight wickets, Canada scored 162 runs in their allotted 21 overs.
Bermuda, on the other hand, was all out for 106 runs after being 31/1 at one point and failing to hit the mark. Sunil Dhaniram took four wickets for a total of ten runs.
9. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI 2002.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand competed in a triangular tournament. In the tournament final, the hosts (Pakistan) faced Sri Lanka, and they won the toss and elected to bat first.
In their allotted 50 overs, Pakistan scored 295 runs for the loss of six wickets. Mohammad Yousuf smashed a century of 129 runs off 131 deliveries.
In response, Sri Lanka only managed 78 runs in the second innings, losing the match and the final by 217 runs.
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10. Namibia vs Australia ODI 2003.
In 2003, Senwes Park played host to a World Cup match between predator Australia and minnow Namibia. The captain of Australia won the toss and chose to bat, and they scored 301 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
Darren Lehmann, Andrew Symonds, and Mathew Hayden all contributed valuable half-centuries.
The opponent was all out for 45 runs in response, and the match was lost by 251 runs. Glenn McGrath took seven wickets for fifteen runs in seven overs, including four maidens. Namibia was thrashed by the Aussies after only 14 overs in the second innings.
Conclusion –
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