ODI cricket is an interesting phenomenon in the game. It is a whisk which not only includes the fortitude, the endurance and the composure of Test cricket but also has the thrill and the galvanization effect of T20 cricket. Maybe that’s why some call it as the ongoing epitome of the game. 

Despite being a format whose mould was developed in the latter part of the twentieth century, the format has seen its forms of evolution, especially when it comes to its playing template. Until 1996 World Cup, ODI cricket did carry that extensive intent of Test cricket wherein touching the bat on the ball was a minimalistic affair, especially in the first 15 overs. But, it was the Sri Lankans who revolutionized it when the world witnessed the amusement of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana with their pinch-hitting. 

Over the years the format did perceive a realm of highs and lows in terms of its scoring trajectory.

Highest and the lowest ODI total of all teams.

1. Afghanistan

338/10 vs IRE in 2017

58/10 vs ZIM in 2016

Although the total of 338 doesn’t sound mammoth by any means but for Afghanistan, it’s their highest ODI total to date. Before the start of the ODI series, Afghanistan had handsomely clean-swept Ireland in the T20Is and with that momentum, had also taken a lead by winning the 1st ODI of the 5 match series. 

While opting to bat first in the 2nd ODI, the openers did give a solid start by putting on 90 runs for the first wicket. But it was the skipper Asghar Afghan’s sparkling hundred which took the team to a match-winning score. In the end, Afghanistan won the match by 34 runs. 

Coming to their lowest total in ODIs, then the game itself was a low scoring affair wherein Zimbabwe itself had posted a score of 175 which includes a fighting 83 runs from Hamilton Masakadza.  It seemed like the Afghans might have a cakewalk when it comes chasing but it was the Luke Jongwe’s splendid spell of 5 wickets which made them register their lowest score as the Afghans eventually bundled out for 58 inside 17 overs. 

2. Australia

434/4 vs SA in 2006

70/10 vs NZ in 1986 |  70/10 vs ENG in 1977 

This game which is often referred to as ‘THE 438 ODI’ did change ODI cricket forever as it was for the first time a total of four hundred was registered by any team. By winning the toss the Aussie openers Adam Gilchrist and Simon Katich did add a stand of 97 runs.  But it was the skipper Ricky Ponting who played the innings of his life when he made his highest individual score of 164 in ODIs. With all regards to scoring a total in excess of 400 for the first time in ODIs, Australia lost the game, all thanks to the heroics performed by Herschelle Gibbs. 

Speaking about their lowest score, then Australia registered its first joint lowest score of 70 against England at Birmingham in 1977. The Aussies were chasing a score of 171 which came on the back of Greg Chappell and Gary Cosier’s five-wicket haul but were fussed out by English bowling which only allowed three of their batters to reach double-digit scores.

Nine years after their first instance, the Australians tumbled again for the score 70 against New Zealand at Adelaide while chasing an intimidating total of 277. Only two of their batters David Boon (100) and Wayne Philips (22) could reach double-digit scores. 

3. Bangladesh

333/8 vs Aus in 2019

58/10 vs WI in 2011 | 58/10 vs IND in 2014

Bangladesh’s total of 333/8 had been achieved at a time when they were chasing an overwhelming total of 381 set by Australia in the 2019 World Cup. Although Bangladesh never looked in the game in terms of their chase, however, there were individual flashes of brilliance. First by Tamim Iqual’s (62) at the top followed by Mushfiquar Rahim’s (102*)  along with Mahmudullah’s (69). 

Bangladesh’s lowest total of 58 had first come in 2011 World Cup when the entire team was stacked by the trio of Kemar Roach, S Benn and Darren Sammy who shared 10 wickets between them. 

Another instance when Bangladesh was panned out for 58 had happened in 2014 when in a low scoring affair the hosts Bangladesh had to chase a minute target Of 105. But it was Stuart Binny’s majestic spell of six wickets for four runs which became the defining moment of the match. 

4.England

481/6  vs AUS in 2018

86/10 vs AUS in 2001

The moment when we thought that England’s total of 444 against Pakistan might remain an all-time highest score in ODIs, Captain Morgan and his team did dazzle the world once again when they scored 481 against Australia in 2018. The score not only remains an all-time highest score in ODIs but it also allowed England to register its biggest ever win in terms of runs as they won the match by 242 runs. 

The architect of this herculean score were the likes of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Alex Hale,s and skipper Morgan whose batting gears were working at a rapid pace.

England just like its highest score did register its lowest score against Australia back in 2001 at Manchester. Australia in their first innings were restricted for 208 and in reply, the trio of McGrath, Warne, and Gillespie junked England’s batting as there were only four players who could reach a double-figure mark. 

5. India

418/5 vs WI in 2011

54/10 vs SL in 2000

India’s highest ODI total which came out against the Windies at Indore was all possible because of Virender Sehwag’s double hundred. The double hundred which comprised of 25 fours and 7 sixes also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the highest individual ODI score of 200*. 

The match was convincingly won by the Indians as the visitors were bundled out for 265 in the 50th over.  India’s score of 54 all out was a humiliating defeat in an all-important final of Coca-Cola Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka while batting first had posted a challenging total of 299 to chase. However, when it came to chasing, India’s batting was completely wrecked by Chaminda Vaas’s swing, along with Muralidharan’s spin which made them suffer a 245 run loss. 

6. Ireland

331/8 vs ZIM in 2015 | 331/6 vs SCO in 2018

77/10 vs SL in 2007

It was in 2015 World Cup when Ireland made its highest ODI total of 331-8 against Zimbabwe. The highlight of their innings was ED Joyce’s knock 112 off 103 deliveries, along with Andy Balbirnie’s knock of 97 off 79 deliveries. The match was a complete thriller as Ireland won the match by a mere 5 runs margin. 

Yet another time Ireland piled up a total of 331 was against Scotland in UAE.  The score was built wherein almost everyone from the top seven scored runs including a handful knock off 74 by Paul Stirling. 

Despite upsetting Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup, Ireland were tumbled for a score of 77 when they faced Sri Lanka in the super eight stages of the tournament. Their batting order was completely outdone by Farveez Maharoof and Muralitharan, as both took four-wicket hauls each. 

7. New Zealand

402/2 vs IRE in 2008

64/10 vs PAK in 1986

New Zealand’s highest ever score of 402/2 was recorded when Brendon McCullum and James Marshall completely ripped Ireland’s bowling line up. McCullum and Marshall both played a mammoth 166 and 161 runs knock.

However, the ODI was completely a one-sided affair as New Zealand won the match by 290 runs. New Zealand’s score of 64/10 had come during the second semi-final of Austral-Asia Cup back in 1986.

Pakistan at that time had a lethal trio of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Abdul Qadir who took eight wickets between themselves. Only Evan Gray of New Zealand was able to register a double-digit score of 17. 

8. Pakistan

399/1 vs ZIM in 2018

43/10 vs WI in 1993

Pakistan’s highest total of 399 was all possible because of Fakhar Zaman’s dazzling double hundred. Zaman’s knock of 201* contained 24 fours and 5 sixes and included a mammoth opening partnership of 304 runs with Imam-ul-Haq.

Imam’s 113 and Asif Ali’s 50* were also other notable performances. The match was completely a one-sided affair as Pakistan won by a humungous margin of 244 runs. 

Their lowest ODI total of 43 had come against West Indies in Cape Town. The West Indian fast bowling which comprised of the fierce pace of Patterson along with Courtney Walsh, and Anderson Cummins, completely devastated Pakistani batting lineup as the trio took nine wickets between them.  Zahid Fazal was the only Pakistani batsman who went past a score of twenty. 

9. South Africa

439/2 vs WI in 2015

69/10 vs AUS 1993

South Africa’s 439 was completely a murderous affair for West Indies wherein Hashim Amla, Rilee Rossouw, and Ab De Villiers scored staggering hundreds. De Villiers who was perhaps in the form of his life scored 149 runs in just 44 deliveries, wherein there were in total of nine fours and 16 sixes being hit. De Villiers also registered the record of fastest ODI hundred in this innings as well. South Africa on the other hand, convincingly won the match by 148 runs. 

Speaking about South Africa’s lowest ODI score, then it was in Benson & Hedges World series back in 1992-93. Kangaroos tumbled them out on a score of 69 runs while Proteas chased a nominal target of 173 set by the Australians.

Paul Reiffel of Australia bowled a remarkable spell off eight overs in which he took four wickets with an economy of less than 2. Skipper Kepler Wessels and Hansie Cronje were the only two batsmen who crossed a double-figure mark. 

10. Sri Lanka

443/9 vs NETH in 2006

43/10 vs SA in 2012

Sri Lanka’s highest ODI total came in when they elected to bat first in their first ODI of the two-match series. Although Upal Tharanga fell cheaply, his opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya played a scintillating knock of 157 which had 24 fours and a six.

His knock was well supported by Tillakaratne Dilshan’s unbeaten knock of 117 which helped them to post such a monumental total. The visitors won the match by 195-run margin. Sri Lanka’s lowest ODI total of 43 was earmarked when South Africans posted a heavy total of 301/8 in their first innings.

Despite having a batting line which comprised of T Dilshan, K Sangakkara, D Chandimal and M Jayawardene, the Sri Lankans were bundled down to a score of 43 at the 20 overs mark. The South Africans won the match with a mammoth margin of 258 runs.

11. West Indies

389/9 vs Eng in 2019

54/10 vs SA in 2004

West Indies highest score of 389 itself had come at a time when they were chasing England’s monstrous total of 418. It was actually Chris Gayle’s thunderous innings which enabled the West Indies to lose a match from a small margin of 29 runs.

Universe Boss Gayle’s knock of 162 runs included 11 fours and 14 sixes in the innings.. Despite losing the match, the West Indies were able to draw the series. 

While facing a target of 264 set by South Africa, which included an outstanding hundred by Jacques Kallis, the West Indian team fell out for a score of 58. Makhaya Ntini and Lance Klusener were the pioneers who took three wickets each, thus allowing South Africa to win from a 209 run margin. 

12. Zimbabwe 

351/7 vs KEN in 2009

35/10 vs SL in 2004

Back in 2009, Zimbabwe posted a massive total of 351-7 against Kenya, which eventually still remains their highest ODI total. The total was well laid out, where almost every batsman from the top seven played an important part including Stuart Matsikenyeri’s 90, which allowed them to yield such amount of a run-fest. Kenya’s innings tumbled out for 200 which made Zimbabwe win the match by 151 runs. 

Their score of 35/10 against Sri Lanka is still the lowest in ODI cricket’s history. The hosts were completely wrecked by the trio of Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof, who took nine wickets between them.

The Sri Lankans finished the game within a span of 10 overs of their innings. It will be interesting to see which team in the future will be able to break this record.