Lowest Team Totals in ODI

ODI cricket is known for teams starting out slow in the initial overs to build their innings. Teams then capitalise on that stable start to put maximum runs on the scoreboard, with some teams even posting the highest team totals in ODIs.

But sometimes things go south quickly, and teams even grapple to put up a competitive total. This either happens due to batting mistakes or the bowling attack being too fierce.

Something similar happened in 2004 when Zimbabwe’s batters couldn’t find any answers against Sri Lanka’s strong pace attack. Zimbabwe ended up scoring the lowest team total of 35 runs in the ODI format.

In this article, let’s take a look at the lowest team scores in ODI cricket.

Lowest Team Totals in ODI

Key Insights on Lowest Team Totals in ODI Cricket

Record for Lowest Innings Score in ODI History

Zimbabwe and the USA hold the joint record for the lowest team total in ODIs. Both sides got all out for 35 against Sri Lanka in 2004 and against Nepal in 2020, respectively. This is also the lowest team total in ODIs by both a full member nation and an associate nation. 

Zimbabwe’s 35 is the lowest ODI total by a team at home, while the USA’s score is the lowest in an away ODI.

Twelve overs batted by the USA are the fewest by a team in a completed ODI innings.

Zimbabwe, Canada and Sri Lanka are the three teams that have been bowled out for 50 or fewer runs in two or more ODI innings.

ODI Team Records for Lowest Batting Run Rates

Canada have recorded the lowest run rate in a completed ODI innings. They achieved a meagre run rate of 1.11 while scoring 45 runs in 40.3 overs against England in the 1979 World Cup. 

Canada’s 40.3 overs are the most by a batting team while scoring 80 or fewer runs in an ODI innings.

Zimbabwe are the only team to have been dismissed more than 20 times below the score of 100 runs in ODIs.

England are the only full-member team that has yet to be bowled out for less than 80 runs in ODIs.

Lowest ODI Totals in Tournament Finals and Run Chases

Sri Lanka’s 43 all out against South Africa in the 2012 Paarl ODI is the lowest total while chasing a target.

Sri Lanka have also recorded the lowest team total in a tournament final. They were bowled out for a mere 50 runs by India in the 2023 Asia Cup final.

Sri Lanka have bowled out opposing teams 15 times for scores less than or equal to 80. 

The USA have successfully defended the lowest team total in a full ODI match, having secured 123 all out against Oman in 2025.

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