When we think of low ODI chases, it’s usually the lower-ranked teams that come to mind. But have you ever wondered how the giants of world cricket, the top-ranked sides have fared when chasing small targets? Surprisingly, it happens more often than you might think.
This article is not just the lowest chase scores as we expect that from smaller teams, but the Top 10 ICC ranked teams. Even the big names with massive following face the curse of sports being unpredictable in nature.
7. Afghanistan(All out for 58)
- Opponent: Zimbabwe
- Best bowler: Luke Jongwe (5/6)
- Venue: Sharjah
On 2 Jan 2016,Afghanistan’s innings collapsed early due to Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling. Quick wickets and mounting pressure prevented any recovery. Their batting lineup never got going.This remains one of Afghanistan’s lowest ODI chase totals in history.
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6. Bangladesh(All out for 58)
- Opponent: India
- Best bowler: Stuart Binny (6/4)
- Venue: Mirpur
On 17 Jun 2014,Bangladesh’s batting struggled against India’s disciplined attack. Early breakthroughs put them on the back foot. They were unable to build partnerships and recover.This score is among Bangladesh’s lowest successful chase attempts in ODIs.
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5. Sri Lanka(All out for 55)
- Opponent: India
- Best bowler: Mohammed Shami (5/18)
- Venue: Wankhede
On 2 Nov 2023,Sri Lanka’s batting lineup folded quickly against India’s disciplined bowling. Early wickets and pressure left them struggling. They couldn’t build any meaningful partnerships.One of Sri Lanka’s lowest ODI chases ever, highlighting a rare batting collapse.
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4. Sri Lanka(All out for 55)
- Opponent: West Indies
- Best bowler: Malcolm Marshall (5/20)
- Venue: Sharjah
On 3 Dec 1986,Sri Lanka’s innings fell apart under West Indies’ fierce bowling attack. Quick dismissals left them with no chance to recover. Their batting never got going.This stands as one of Sri Lanka’s poorest chase totals in ODI history.
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3. West Indies(All out for 54)
- Opponent: South Africa
- Best bowler: Makhaya Ntini (5/23)
- Venue: Cape Town
On 25 Jan 2004,West Indies struggled against South Africa’s accurate and aggressive bowling. Early wickets derailed their innings. They couldn’t build partnerships to fight back.One of the lowest ODI chase totals ever recorded by the West Indies.
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2. India(All out for 54)
- Opponent:Sri Lanka
- Best bowler: Chaminda Vaas (5/16)
- Venue:Sharjah
On 29 Oct 2000,India’s batting collapsed against Sri Lanka’s sharp bowling attack. Early breakthroughs left them under pressure. They couldn’t recover and lost wickets rapidly.This is among India’s lowest-ever ODI chase totals.
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1. Sri Lanka(All out for 43)
- Opponent: South Africa
- Best bowler: Dale Steyn (5/16)
- Venue: Paarl
On 11 Jan 2012, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup struggled against South Africa’s pace and bounce. Early wickets and pressure led to a quick collapse. They couldn’t build any partnerships.This remains the lowest ODI chase in Sri Lanka’s history.
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Conclusion
In the end, even the biggest names in world cricket aren’t strangers to modest chases. While we often associate low targets with lower ranked teams, history shows that the top sides too have had their share of small pursuits. It’s a reminder that in cricket, no matter how strong the team, the game can be as much about seizing the moment as it is about chasing the score.
Written by: Hubaish M
