Gone in a flash: Shortest completed innings in ODIs (in terms of balls bowled)
It is rare to see teams crumbling quickly in less than the allotted 50 overs in an ODI match. However, some exceptional bowling performances have meant that new records have been made in this aspect as well. They are records to cherish for the bowling team, while they remain nightmares for the batting team. Here we talk about the 5 shortest completed ODI innings in the history of the game.
5. Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka – 94 balls
This match was played in the Triangular Series of 2001 at Colombo. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first. This match shall remain memorable for the best bowling figures by a bowler in the 50-over format. Chaminda Vaas, the Man of the Match, registered figures of 8/15 to dismiss Zimbabwe for just 38 runs. They chased it down in just 4.2 overs with nine wickets to spare.
4. Canada vs Kenya – 89 balls
This clash was a part of the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 in 2007. Kenya won the toss at Nairobi and elected to bat first. A team effort by the batting line-up took them to 250/9 at the end of their 50 overs. Tanmay Mishra top-scored with a well made 62. The bowlers then took over, as Odoyo and Ongondo paired up to bowl a fiery spell against the Canada batsmen. Odoyo took 4/39 and was adjudged the Man of the Match. Ongondo took 5/51 and the pair ensured Canada folded for 92 runs.
3. Namibia vs Australia – 84 balls
Australia were on a roll in the 2003 World Cup, winning all the matches of the tournament. Unfortunately, Namibia also ended up being on the other side of their purple patch. Australia chose to bat first after winning the toss at Potchefstroom, South Africa. It was a team effort with all the batsmen chipping in. Matthew Hayden top-scored with 88 runs. In response, Glenn McGrath put up an exceptional display with figures of 7/15. His spell ensured that he got the Man of the Match and that Namibia was rolled over for just 45 runs in 14 overs.
2. Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan – 83 balls
This unwanted record for Zimbabwe came at Harare in the 5th ODI of Afghanistan’s tour to Zimbabwe. The series was level at 2-2, and this was the all-important decider. Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. They scored 253/9 in 50 overs. Rahmat Shah, the Man of the Match, top-scored with a solid 50 off 79 balls. He was well supported by Mohd Nabi and Noor Ali Zadran. In response, nobody from Zimbabwe was able to anchor the chase, as captain Cremer batting at number 8 top-scored with just 14 runs. Nabi and Hamza picked up 3 wickets each and dismissed Zimbabwe for 54 runs, as Afghanistan won the match by 106 runs (DLS Method)
1. USA vs Nepal- 72 balls
This match was a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, 2020 at Kirtipur. Nepal won the toss and elected to field first. The USA team collapsed for just 35 runs in 12 overs. Opener Xavier Marshall was the top run-scorer for them with just 16 runs to his name. Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the bowlers and the Man of the Match, taking six wickets at the cost of just 16 runs in six overs. Nepal chased the total down in 5.2 overs with eight wickets in hand. Paras Khadka scored a rapid 12-ball 20 to finish the game off quickly.
