Lowest Team Score in ODI History | Full List, Records, Match Details & Highlights
One Day International (ODI) cricket has long been considered a batting-friendly format. Flat pitches, modern batting techniques, powerplays, and heavier bats have helped batters dominate bowlers for decades. However, ODI cricket has also witnessed some shocking collapses—occasions when teams failed to reach even 50 runs. These low totals stand as reminders that bowlers, too, can completely dictate a game when the conditions favor them.
Across ODI history, there have been several matches where top teams like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and West Indies collapsed dramatically. From Zimbabwe’s infamous 35 all out to Sri Lanka’s collapse against South Africa, these moments show how ruthless bowlers can be when everything goes their way.
In this article, we explore the lowest team scores in ODI cricket, with complete details, match insights, and notable performances.
Lowest Team Score in ODI History – 35 All Out (Zimbabwe)
The record for the lowest team total in ODI cricket belongs to Zimbabwe, who were bowled out for 35 runs in just 18 overs against Sri Lanka on 25 April 2004, at Harare.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were ruthless from the first over.
- Chaminda Vaas took 4 wickets
- Farveez Maharoof picked 3
- Dilhara Fernando added 2
Zimbabwe’s highest scorer was Dion Ebrahim, who managed just 7 runs. No other player reached double figures. The pitch offered swing and seam movement right from the start, leaving the batters helpless.
This match remains the biggest ODI batting collapse in history.
2nd Lowest ODI Total – 35 All Out (USA)
The USA shares the same lowest score of 35 runs, bowled out by Nepal on 12 February 2020 at Kirtipur.
Nepal’s leg-spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane completely destroyed the American batting lineup, taking 6 wickets. The USA team struggled to pick his variations, resulting in one of the most shocking collapses in modern ODI cricket.
This performance highlighted Nepal’s growing strength in international cricket.
3rd Lowest ODI Total – 36 All Out (Canada)
The third-lowest team score in ODI cricket also involves an ICC Associate nation. Canada were bowled out for 36 runs by Sri Lanka at Paarl on 19 February 2003 during the Cricket World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s quicks exploited the early swing, reducing Canada to 12/6 within the first few overs. They failed to recover and folded for just 36 runs.
4th Lowest Team Score – 38 All Out (Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwe appears multiple times in the lowest-score list. Their 38 all out came against Sri Lanka on 8 December 2001 at Colombo (SSC).
This match is remembered for Chaminda Vaas’s legendary 8-wicket spell—one of the best bowling figures in ODI history. Vaas’s accuracy and swing made batting nearly impossible for Zimbabwe’s lineup.
5th Lowest Team Score – 43 All Out (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s 43 all out against South Africa remains one of the most dramatic collapses by a major cricketing nation.
Match Details
- Date: 11 January 2012
- Venue: Paarl
- Target: 302 runs
South Africa posted 301/8, thanks to
- Hashim Amla’s century and
- AB de Villiers’ 52 runs
In reply, Sri Lanka never found momentum. Four batters were dismissed for ducks. South Africa’s pace attack kept Sri Lanka under constant pressure, resulting in a historic low total.
Complete List – Lowest Team Scores in ODI Cricket
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 35 | Sri Lanka | Harare | 25 Apr 2004 |
| USA | 35 | Nepal | Kirtipur | 12 Feb 2020 |
| Canada | 36 | Sri Lanka | Paarl | 19 Feb 2003 |
| Zimbabwe | 38 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 8 Dec 2001 |
| Sri Lanka | 43 | South Africa | Paarl | 11 Jan 2012 |
| Pakistan | 43 | West Indies | Cape Town | 25 Feb 1993 |
| Zimbabwe | 44 | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 3 Nov 2009 |
| Canada | 45 | England | Manchester | 13 Jun 1979 |
| Namibia | 45 | Australia | Potchefstroom | 27 Feb 2003 |
| Sri Lanka | 50 | India | Colombo | 17 Sep 2023 |
| India | 54 | Sri Lanka | Sharjah | 29 Oct 2000 |
| West Indies | 54 | South Africa | Cape Town | 25 Jan 2004 |
Lowest ODI Score for Major Teams (Additional Facts)
New Zealand
- 64 all out vs Pakistan
- Sharjah, 15 April 1986
South Africa
- 69 all out vs Australia
- Sydney, 14 December 1993
Australia
- 70 all out vs New Zealand
- Adelaide, 27 January 1986
England
- 86 all out vs Australia
- NatWest Series, 2001
These scores show that even world-class teams have had their share of humiliation in ODI cricket.
Why Do Such Low Scores Happen in ODI Cricket?
1. Bowler-Friendly Conditions
Green pitches, early morning moisture, cloudy weather, or a swinging new ball often contribute to batting collapses.
2. World-Class Bowling Spells
Many low totals happened due to a single extraordinary spell—like Chaminda Vaas’s 8-fer or Lamichhane’s 6 wickets.
3. Pressure of Big Tournaments
World Cups or qualification rounds often create extra pressure, leading to poor shot selection.
4. Lack of Experience (Associate Teams)
Teams like USA, Canada, and Namibia lacked experience facing high-quality international bowling.
Conclusion
Although ODI cricket is known as a batting-friendly format, history proves that bowlers can dominate when conditions favor them. From Zimbabwe’s 35 all out to Sri Lanka’s collapse at Paarl, these matches are unforgettable examples of how quickly a team can crumble.
These records also show the importance of technique, discipline, and adapting to conditions—core pillars of successful ODI batting.
