5 Instances in 21st century Tests when teams batted for least overs in a match
In a format like Test cricket, teams look to bat for at least four sessions in the first innings. While in the second innings, it depends on the situation of the game. However, there can be matches when everything is not going in your way, and teams even get all out in less than two sessions. They still try to survive for as much time as possible. In this article, we will be discussing five instances in 21st century Tests when teams were bowled for the least overs combined in both innings.
5) Bangladesh – 71.4 overs
This match was the first Test of Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka in 2005. In the first innings after being invited to bat first, Bangladesh was dismissed for 188 runs in 44 overs. Their captain Habibul Bashar played a useful knock of 84 runs off 96 balls. The Sri Lankan team in the response posted 370/9 in their first innings with the help of vital knocks from Thilan Samaraweera (78), Mahela Jayawardene (63) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (86).
Sri Lanka were ahead by 182 runs now, and in the second innings, they dismissed the visitors for only 86 runs in 27.4 overs. Sri Lanka won this match quite comfortably by an innings and 96 runs. Bangladesh could sustain only 71.4 overs in both innings combined.
4) Pakistan – 69.5 overs
This was the fourth Test of Pakistan tour of England in 2010. The hosts posted a big total of 446 runs in the first innings with the help of centuries from Jonathan Trott (184) and Stuart Broad (169). In reply, the Pakistan team was bowled out for 74 runs in 33 overs. After this, they were dismissed for 147 runs in 36.5 overs following on. The Pakistan team lost the match by an innings and 225 runs and could bat only 69.5 overs in total.
3) Zimbabwe – 68.5 overs
The Zimbabwe team toured England and Ireland in 2000 and played the first Test match against England at Lord’s. In the first innings, the visitors were bowled for only 83 runs in 30.3 overs. The English team piled up 415 runs in response, taking a lead of 332 runs. In the second innings, Zimbabwe could survive only 38.2 overs and were dismissed for 123 runs. The visitors batted for only 68.5 overs in this match and lost the match by an innings and 209 runs.
2) Afghanistan – 66.3 overs
This was the first Test match of Afghanistan in their cricket history which they played against India in 2018. India scored 474 runs in the first innings with both openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan scoring centuries. In response, Afghanistan was all out for 109 runs in 27.5 overs. Following on, they could score only 103 runs in 38.4 overs losing the match an innings and 262 runs. Afghanistan batted for only 66.3 overs and lost 20 wickets.
1) Bangladesh – 59 overs
Bangladesh currently hold the record for playing the least overs (59) in both innings combined of a Test match with all 20 wickets being lost. This was the first Test of Bangladesh tour of the West Indies in 2018, and the visitors were all out for 43 runs in 18.4 overs. The West Indies team posted 406 runs in the first innings and took a big lead of 373 runs. In the second inning, Bangladesh could survive for only 40.2 overs and got all out for 144 runs. The hosts registered a big victory by an innings and 219 runs in this way.
