On this day in 2004: Zimbabwe register the lowest ever ODI total
35 – That is the score that the Zimbabwe side managed to muster in an ODI match against Sri Lanka. On 25th April 2004, the Zimbabwe batsmen were at sea, as the Sri Lankan bowlers ripped through their batting lineup at Harare.
No Zimbabwe batsman could score in double digits. Such was the tragic state of affairs for the Zimbabwe side that they were bundled out in just 18 overs, and their highest run-scorer was Dion Ebrahim, who scored 7. The extras contributed 7 runs to the total as well. Also, no Zimbabwe batsman could even last for 25 deliveries at the crease.
Sri Lanka used just 3 bowlers, and all of them picked up wickets. While Chaminda Vaas scalped 4 wickets in the 9 overs that he bowled and gave away only 11 runs, Farveez Maharoof gave away just 3 runs in the 3 overs that he bowled, and also picked up 3 wickets. Dilhara Fernando played his part too, and scalped a couple of wickets, giving away 18 runs in the 6 overs that he rolled his arm over.
And, all it took for Sri Lanka to go past the target was just 9.2 overs. The Marvan Atapattu-led side romped home with 9 wickets and 40.4 overs to spare, as Zimbabwe suffered a humiliating defeat in their own backyard. Saman Jayanta was the top scorer for the Sri Lankan outfit and scored 28* off 26 deliveries. Russel Arnold was the only Sri Lankan batsman to be dismissed, and he departed after scoring 6.
Douglas Hondo picked up the only Sri Lankan wicket to fall. And needless to say, pace bowling legend Chaminda Vaas was awarded the Man of the Match award for his devastating spell with the ball in hand that left the Zimbabwe willow wielders totally flummoxed.
18 years have passed since then, but 35 still remains the lowest total ever recorded in ODI cricket.
