Top 5 Low Scoring ODI matches

Low scoring matches are getting are a thing of the past because of inventions of T20 format. Low scoring matches usually have nail biting finishes and they always create tension and excitement. These low scoring matches are generally defended based on how the captain uses his players potential to the maximum. Let’s take a look through top 5 low scoring ODI games:

5) England vs Zimbabwe, Oval 1992

One of the most memorable matches for the Zimbabwe board was the 35^th match of Benson & Hedges World Cup. England won the toss and captain GA Gooch elected to field first, which proved to be the wrong decision for the England team. Asked to bat first, Zimbabwe batting line-up considerably failed and IT Botham and RK Illingworth took 3 wickets each to restrict Zimbabwe to a mere total of 125, leaving the game was totally in England’s favour. Zimbabwe’s EA Brandes struck on the very first ball of the England innings to send back England’s captain. England tried to build partnerships but regular strikes from EA Brandes kept them on back foot. Zimbabwe won the match by 9 runs and EA Brandes was declared as man of the match for his brilliant bowling performance (10-4-21-4-2.10).

4) Zimbabwe vs Kenya, Harare 2006

This match was very important for Zimbabwe as they were trailing 1-0 in a 5 match series between the two teams. Kenya won the toss and elected to bat first. Kenya were reduced to 5-56, and an important partnership from T Mishra and JK Kamande took their score to 134. Zimbabwe had a chance to level the series. However, TM Odoyo struck in his first over to bring Kenya back in the match. BRM Taylor (33) and CK Coventry (14) tried to build a partnership, but brilliant bowling by Odoyo and Ongondo won the match for Kenya. Kenya won the match by 69 runs and TM Odoyo was declared as the man of the match for his brilliant spell (6-0-13-3-2.16).

3) South Africa vs England, East London 1996

This match was very important for England if they wanted to keep their pride, as they were trailing the 7 match series 4-1. South Africa won the match the toss and elected to bat first. South Africa’s in-form batting line up totally collapsed in these match. BM McMillan top scored with 45* which took the total to 129. England were favourites to win. However, South Africa’s PS de Villiers struck in the 5^th over to send both the openers back and England never looked like coming back into the match after that. PR Adams brilliant bowling at the end gave South Africa a famous win. South Africa won the match by 14 runs and PR Adams was declared as man of the match for his bowling (9-1-26-3-2.88).

2) West Indies vs England, ST Vincent 1981

This match was equally important for both the teams if they wanted to put pressure on the opponents as it was only a two match series. England won the toss and elected to field first. The West Indies batting had a nightmare run and only due to some brilliant batting from EH Mattis(62) did their score reach 125. CEH Croft struck in his first over to bring West Indies back in the game. DI Gower (23) and IT Botham (60) tried to build a partnership but constant wickets from Croft took game away from England in a nail-biting finish. West Indies won the match by 2 runs and CEH Croft was declared as the man of the match for his consistent bowling (9-4-15-6-1.66).

1) India vs Pakistan, Sharjah 1985

One of the most interesting matches between the two arch rivals. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. Both the Indian openers left without scoring. M Azharduddin (47) and captain Kapil Dev (30) tried to build partnership, but Imran Khan kept India on the back foot and India were bowled out for mere 125. Pakistan started their batting very calmly, with 3 of their top order batsman adding 68 runs. But Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, and L Sivaramakrishnan brought India back in the game. Pakistan were bowled out for 87. India won the match by 38 runs. However, Imran Khan was declared as man of the match for his brilliant bowling spell (10-2-14-6-1.40).