Who holds the record for the lowest team score in men’s ODIs and World Cup history?

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In men’s ODIs, there have been nine instances of teams not being able to reach 50 runs in their innings, the first one dating back to 1979, when Canada succumbed to 45 all out against England in that year’s World Cup.

The record for the lowest-ever score, however, goes to Zimbabwe, who managed just 35 in their ODI against Sri Lanka in Harare, in 2004. None of the batters managed to get into double-figures, with extras (7) being the joint-highest run-scorer.

In World Cups, Canada holds the unfortunate record for getting the lowest total in an inning, against Sri Lanka in the 2003 edition. Thrice have teams not been able to get to 50 in men’s ODI World Cups, the last one by Namibia, against Australia.

Prior to the batting misfortune in South Africa, Canada also held the previous record for the lowest total in ODI World Cup history. England bowled out Canada for 45 in Manchester in 1979.

Namibia were also skittled out for 45 by Australia during an ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 encounter in Potchefstroom.

Among ICC full member nations, Bangladesh holds the dubious record for the lowest total in ODI World Cups.

The Tigers were bowled out for 58 against West Indies in Mirpur in 2011. Know the lowest totals in ODI World Cup history.

The latest entrant to the lowest total in the ODI World Cup history was Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for 55 by India in Mumbai on Thursday (2nd November). That is now the fourth-lowest total in the history of the ODI World Cup.

Lowest totals in men’s ODI cricket:

35 – Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka – 25 Apr 2004, Harare
35 – U.S.A. v Nepal – 2 Feb 2020, Kirtipur
36 – Canada v Sri Lanka – 19 Feb 2003 – Paarl
38 – Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka – 8 Dec 2001 – Colombo (SSC)
43 – Sri Lanka v South Africa – 11 Jan 2012 – Paarl
43 – Pakistan v West Indies – 25 Feb 1993 – Cape Town
44 – Zimbabwe v Bangladesh – 3 Nov 2009 – Chattogram
45 – Canada v England – 13 Jun 1979 – Manchester
45 – Namibia v Australia – 27 Feb 2003 – Potchefstroom
50 – Sri Lanka v India – 17 Sep 2023 – Colombo (RPS)

Top 10 lowest totals in ODI World Cup history:

Canada - 36 all out in 18.4 overs vs Sri Lanka at Paarl in 2003
Canada - 45 all out in 40.3 overs vs England at Manchester in 1979
Namibia - 45 all out in 14 overs vs Australia at Potchefstroom in 2003
Sri Lanka - 55 all out in 19.4 overs vs India at Mumbai in 2023
Bangladesh - 58 all out in 18.5 overs vs West Indies at Mirpur in 2011
Scotland - 68 all out in 31.1 overs vs West Indies at Leicester in 1999
Kenya - 69 all out in 23.5 overs vs New Zealand at Chennai in 2011
Pakistan - 74 all out in 40.2 overs vs England at Adelaide in 1992
Ireland - 77 all out in 27.4 overs vs Sri Lanka at St. George’s in 2007
Bermuda - 78 all out in 24.4 overs vs Sri Lanka at Port of Spain in 2007