6 renowned cricketers who were left stranded on 99 not out in ODIs

#4 Andy Flower

Andy Flower

Arguably Zimbabwe’s greatest batsman of all time, Andy Flower made 99 not out in the 3rd ODI of Australia's tour of Zimbabwe. The match was played at Harare on 24 October 24 1999.

Zimbabwe batted first after being put in by Australia, and Flower, coming in at number four, was unbeaten on 99 when the 50 overs came to a close. Flower’s was the only chief contribution in the innings, as he scored his runs from 111 balls in a innings punctuated with seven fours and two sixes.

Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Tom Moody picked up two wickets each as the Aussies held Zimbabwe to 200 for 9.

In response, Ricky Ponting, opening the innings for a change, marched to 87 not out from 110 balls. Michael Bevan also contributed 77 not out from 107 to deflate the Zimbabwean attack and clinch victory for Australia by nine wickets, in 39 overs.

#3 Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf

Former Pakistan captain, and one of Asia’s most stylish batsmen ever, Mohammad Yousuf also finds himself in this list. Yousuf made an unbeaten 99 against arch-rivals India in the 4th ODI of Pakistan’s tour of India, played at Gwalior on 15 November 2007.

Pakistan batted first in the game and Yousuf, coming in at number four, was stranded on 99 as the 50 overs were up. The middle-order batsman got his runs from 104 balls while hitting seven fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease.

Younis Khan also contributed 68 as Pakistan posted a challenging 255 for 6.

India’s response was led by Sachin Tendulkar, who made 97 from 102 balls, an innings featuring 16 fours. He looked set for a hundred when be was bowled by Umar Gul.

But Tendulkar’s innings set India on the path to a comfortable six-wicket triumph.