On This Day: Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka in Harare

Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan fast bowlers led by Chaminda Vaas had dismissed the hosts in 18 overs.

On this day in 2004, a shambolic batting performance saw Zimbabwe registering the lowest-ever ODI total after they were bowled out for 35 in 18 overs during the third ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe in Harare.

The then Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu’s decision of fielding first after winning the toss yielded optimum results for Sri Lanka as they completed the match in under 28 overs.

The batting collapse had begun in the fourth over when debutant Rangana Herath had found Zimbabwe opening batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri (4) short of his crease at the non-striker’s end.

Dilhara Fernando, who shared the new ball with Chaminda Vaas, sent back Dion Ebrahim (7) in the eighth over after he edged a delivery to the then Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

While Fernando found the then Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu (0) wanting in front of the stumps on the following delivery, Vaas dismissed Brendan Taylor (4) and Elton Chigumbura (4) in the next over to reduce the hosts to 19/5.

Another Sri Lankan debutant in Farvez Maharoof also tasted blood as he sent back Vusi Sibanda (4) in the 14th over. With Zimbabwe’s tail-enders in the middle, it had only remained a matter of time until they were bowled out.

Vaas, who reached the 300-wicket mark in this match, was the pick of the visiting bowlers with bowling figures of 9-4-11-4. The remaining damage was done by Maharoof and Fernando, who picked three and two wickets respectively. Sri Lanka, who sealed the chased in the ninth over, gained an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

While Zimbabwe’s unwanted record remains intact till date, it is worth mentioning that USA joined them at the top after Nepal bundled them for 35 in 12 overs earlier this year in Kirtipur.

Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka

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About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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