Seven lowest team totals in ODI World Cup history

The 2023 ODI World Cup gets underway in 4 days. The anticipation and the excitement is palpable as the event starts ticking closer. All the players from the ten teams want to give their best in a bid to win the tournament.

Now in its 13^th Edition of the tournament, the Cricket World Cup has seen a lot of highs. The tournament has seen players score double-centuries, and take 7 seven wickets. Fans have also witnessed the team scoring 400 runs in an innings.

There have been occasions though where some teams have had to bite the bitter pill. Here are the seven occasions where teams had to face the ignominy of posting the lowest team totals in World Cup history.

Pakistan 74 all out versus England – 1992 World Cup – Adelaide

Pakistan in 1992 World Cup (Source: Twitter)

Imran Khan saw his team get bowled out for just 74 runs from 40.2 overs against England. This is Pakistan’s lowest-ever team total in ODI World Cup history. Salim Malik and Mushtaq Ahmed top scored with 17 runs each. Wasim Haider with 13 was only the third batter to reach double figures. Pakistan was saved by the rain and the game was called off. Imran Khan later beat England in the final to win their first and only World Cup to date.

Kenya 69 all out versus New Zealand – 2011 World Cup – Chennai

Kenya vs New Zealand (Source: Twitter)

The Kiwis made short work of Kenya to win the game by 10 wickets with 42 overs to spare. Kenya recorded their lowest team total in ODI World Cup history when they were bowled out for 69. Hamish Bennett picked 3 wickets while Tim Southee and Jacob Oram picked 3 wickets each for the Kiwis.

Scotland 68 all out versus West Indies – 1999 World Cup – Leicester

Scotland vs West Indies (Source: Twitter)

Gavin Hamilton’s 24 was the saving as ODI World Cup 1999 witnessed Scotland post their lowest team total. West Indies took all off 31.3 overs to bowl out the Scots for 68 runs. Courtney Walsh picked 3/7 from his 7 overs, while Ambrose had figures of 2/8 from his 10 overs. The West Indians won the game by 8 wickets with over 39 overs to spare.

Bangladesh 58 all out versus West Indies – 2011 World Cup – Mirpur

Bangladesh vs West Indies (Source: Twitter)

It was a historic occasion as Bangladesh co-hosted the ODI World Cup for the first time. Shakib AL Hasan and his team were expected to do well and reach the latter stages of the tournament. Bangladesh, in fact, had a horror 2011 Cricket World Cup after being bowled out under 100 twice. Their lowest team total came against West Indies when they were bowled out for 58. West Indies won the game by 9 wickets in the 13^th over to leave the fans heartbroken.

Namibia 45 all out versus Australia – 2003 World Cup – Potchefstroom

Namibia vs Australia (Source: Twitter)

Glenn McGrath showed no mercy towards Namibia as he recorded his career-best figures. The tall right-arm pacer picked 7/15 to bowl out the ODI World Cup debutants for 45. This is Namibia’s lowest team total in their sole World Cup appearance.

Canada 45 all out versus England – 1979 World Cup – Manchester

Canada vs England (Source: Twitter)

Bob Willis and Chris Old ran riot against the Canadians to pick 4 wickets each. Canada were bowled out for just 45 in the 41^st over. Only 1 batter was able to reach double figures. The Canadians held the lowest team total for 24 years.

Canada 36 all out versus Sri Lanka – 2003 World Cup – Paarl

Sri Lanka vs Canada (Source: Twitter)

The Canadian team did not let the 24-year record for the lowest team total in the ODI World Cup stay intact. It took Sri Lanka all of 18 overs to bundle out Canada for 36. None of the batters reached double figures as the Sri Lankans won the game by 9 wickets.