5 players who scored ODI fifties without a boundary

When the ODI cricket started during the 1970s, the batsmen were slow in their approach. Over the years and with the invention of T20 cricket, the game has changed drastically.

Players today invent new strokes every week to score faster and win the game for their team. This has not always been the case. The players from yesteryears played slow and sometimes selfishly, which made their team lose the match.

There have been five players who have played slowly and not hit a single four during their half-century in the ODIs. Let's take a look at them.

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#5 Mohinder Amarnath

NOV 1984: PORTRAIT OF MOHINDER AMARNATH OF INDIA.

Mohinder Amarnath was a conventional Test batsman who also played ODI for the Indian team because of the lack of options. He was renowned for batting slowly.

He scored 51 runs off 62 balls when India was chasing a target of 225 in 40 overs. India needed someone to play fast, but Amarnath in his usual slow-paced style scored 51 without hitting a single boundary.

The result was that India lost the match by 14 runs.

#4 Mark Greatbatch

New Zealand v Bangladesh - First Test: Day 2

Mark Greatbatch was one of the pioneers in the ODI cricket, who started batting in an attacking mode from the word ‘go.’ While playing against Australia, New Zealand needed 229 to win the match.

He started the innings in his usual style, but the fall of wickets on the other end forced him to play slow. He scored 68 runs, and Kiwis lost the match. In his innings, he did not score a single boundary.

Some cricket pundits still debate whether it is a wise decision on his part to play slowly rather than attacking the opponent.

#3 Saeed Anwar

Saeed Anwar of Pakistan

Saeed Anwar was regarded as one of the finest batsmen of his era. He was stylish, elegant, and an aggressive batsman.

In one of his innings against New Zealand, he scored 62 runs off 67 balls without hitting a single four. The start he provided, gave Pakistan a chance to post a total of 281. In the end, they won the match as the Kiwis were all out for 235 runs. Saeed won the Man of the Match award for his fine batting display.

#2 Javed Miandad

Javed in a conversation

Javed Miandad was a fine batsman from Pakistan and was known for his controversial personality. He was tactical in his batting approach and played calmly.

Pakistan played the inaugural match of the Benson & Hedges World series, where they had to chase a target of 198 runs. Javed scored 59 runs off 83 balls. He batted slowly and in a composed manner with a strike rate of 71. He was unable to hit a single four in the entire inning. Pakistan won the match, and he won all the praise.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

India v New Zealand - 2011 ICC World Cup Warm Up Game

We know MS as a finisher and destroyer. There was a time when he played one of the slowest innings with no fours and sixes.

MS Dhoni scored his 22nd half-century against Sri Lanka in 2008 by playing 68 balls. His strike-rate stood at 73. Chasing a target of 239, Dhoni and Yuvraj took India to two-wicket win against Sri Lanka.

Dhoni was known for hitting the big shots, but strangely he did not hit a single four or a six in his entire inning. He was applauded for his performance. It showed the maturity of Dhoni on how to adapt to difficult match situations.