In 1985, during the innings break of an India-Pakistan game, when the rivals met each other in the first match of the four nations cup at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium (Sharjah). Indian batters were bundled out for 125 runs and Pakistan seemed like the favourites in what could’ve been an easy chase.
But what followed was a tragedy for the Pakistani batters as they fell like dominoes, wrapped up for just 87 runs, and ended up losing the game by 38 runs. Pakistani pacer Imran Khan’s best-ever bowling performance and his only 6-wicket haul in the format went pointless that day.
It is one of the greatest Indian ODI wins, mainly due to the fact that it is the lowest team total ever successfully defended by a team in ODI history. You can watch the entire match here.
This article will list the lowest ten team scores successfully defended by any team in ODI cricket.
Lowest ODI Score Successfully Defended by Teams
| TARGET | TEAM | OPPONENT | OPPONENT SCORE | VENUE | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | USA | Oman | 65/10 | Al Amerat | 2025 |
| 126 | India | Pakistan | 87/10 | Sharjah | 1985 |
| 128 | West Indies | England | 125/10 | Kingstown | 1981 |
| 130 | Zimbabwe | Afghanistan | 126/10 | Harare | 2017 |
| 130 | South Africa | England | 115/10 | East London | 1996 |
| 132 | Afghanistan | Zimbabwe | 82/10 | Sharjah | 2015 |
| 135 | Zimbabwe | England | 125/10 | Albury | 1992 |
| 135 | Kenya | Zimbabwe | 69/10 | Harare | 2006 |
| 139 | Zimbabwe | West Indies | 91/10 | Sydney | 2001 |
| 141 | South Africa | West Indies | 136/10 | Cape Town | 1993 |
| 147 | Pakistan | New Zealand | 110/10 | Auckland | 1994 |
Key Insights on Lowest Totals Successfully Defended in ODIs
Record-Breaking Low Scores Defended in ODI History
The USA have defended the lowest total in ODIs, having secured a 123-run target against Oman in 2025.
123 is the lowest target a team has failed to chase at home in ODIs.
Kenya is the only other associate nation to defend a total of 150 or fewer runs in ODIs. They safeguarded a 135-run target, bowling out Zimbabwe for 69 in the 2006 Harare ODI.
The lowest ODI total defended by a full-member team is India’s 126 against Pakistan in 1985.
West Indies’ 128-run defence against England in 1981 is the lowest defended total by an ODI team at home.
Zimbabwe have recorded the lowest total in the ODI World Cup. They bundled out England for 125 while securing a 135-run target in the 1992 World Cup.
Team Performance Records and Associate Nation Milestones
South Africa and Zimbabwe have defended three totals each of 150 or fewer runs in ODIs, the joint-most by a team.
England, meanwhile, have failed to chase targets of 150 or fewer runs on four occasions, the most by a team in ODIs.
Narrowest ODI Victories and One-Run Thrillers
The lowest run margin victory in ODIs is one run, which has been recorded over 36 times.
Notably, the West Indies and Oman are the only two teams to sneak in a one-run victory while successfully defending a target of lower than 160. They achieved this feat while defending 154 and 156 against Pakistan and the Netherlands in 2011 and 2024, respectively.
Nepal, the Netherlands and the UAE are the other three associates other than Oman to record a one-run win in ODIs.
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