Lowest individual score to outscore the opposition in men’s ODIs
Over the years, ODI cricket has evolved as one of the most popular and entertaining formats of the sport. ODI cricket has seen its fair share of brilliant performances by both batters and the bowlers. However, this does not mean that the players never make mistakes in some matches. There have been many instances where a player’s individual score has outscored that of the entire opposition’s total, and continuing on the same, let us have a look at the top three lowest individual scores to outscore the opposition in men’s ODI.
3. Jacques Rudolph and Imam-ul-Haq – 61
The third-joint lowest individual total to outscore an entire team is held by former South African cricketer Jacques Rudolph and Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq. Rudolph scored an unbeaten 61 runs in 76 deliveries in the first ODI of the series against the West Indies back in January 2004, and the Windies were bundled out for 54 runs in the run chase.
On the other hand, in the first ODI of the series between Afghanistan and Pakistan in August 2023, Imam-ul-Haq scored 61 runs in 94 deliveries in the first innings, and as Afghanistan came to chase down the target, they were bundled out for a meagre 59 runs.
2. Andrew Symonds – 59
The second-lowest individual score to outscore the opposition team came at the hands of former Australian all-rounder, the late Andrew Symonds. Back in 2004, when Australia faced Namibia in the 31st game of the ODI World Cup, the Aussies put forth a brilliant performance in the first innings, scoring 301 runs. Andrew Symonds amassed 59 runs in 63 deliveries, and as Namibia were bundled out for 45 runs, Symonds etched his name in history.
1. Darren Lehmann- 50
In the very same game, where Symonds scored the second-lowest individual score, outsourcing the opposition, Darren Lehmann did the same but escalated it even further. Scoring 50* runs in 31 deliveries, Lehmann’s score remains the lowest individual total to outscore the entire opposition team in ODI cricket.
