Highest Run Chase in ODI by Sri Lanka

ODI: A team is always known because of the depth of their batting and the ability of their batters. It may be setting the target or chasing the target, but a good batting unit will always win you the matches more often than not. And we have seen some of the most incredible chases in the history of cricket. Many teams chased down some of the most impossible targets in order to break some records.

And since the evolution of T20 cricket, no target is big enough for any team to defend. Because nowadays, every team fancies their chances in the chase. In this article, we will cover the highest chases for Sri Lanka in the history of ODI cricket.

4. Sri Lanka (313/7) against Zimbabwe at New Plymouth

The fourth biggest chase for Sri Lanka came in 1992 against Zimbabwe in the World Cup at New Plymouth. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first. Andy Flower played really well and scored an unbeaten century for Zimbabwe. He made 115* runs off 152 balls and got some support from Kevin Arnott and Andy Waller. Arnott made 52 runs while Waller scored 83* off 45 balls. Zimbabwe scored 312/4 in their 50 overs.

A target of 300 plus was always a big target to chase in a World Cup game. But both Sri Lankan openers gave their team a good start. They added 128 runs for the first wicket. Roshan Mahanama scored 59, while Athula Samarasekera scored 75 runs. But Sri Lanka lost a few wickets in the middle. But Arjuna Ranatunga held the innings together and played an unbeaten innings of 88* off 61 balls to seal the deal for the team. Sri Lanka won that match by three wickets and only 4 balls to spare.

3. Sri Lanka (314/8) against South Africa at Johannesburg

Sri Lanka registered their third-highest run chase against South Africa in the fifth match of the five-match series at Johannesburg. It was Sri Lanka that won the toss and chose to bowl first. South Africa lost their first wicket for just 10, but after that, two massive centuries helped them cross the 300-run mark. Graeme Smith scored 125 runs off 143 balls, while skipper AB de Villiers managed 125* off 98 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.

Sri Lanka were set to chase the target of 313 against a strong bowling lineup of the Proteas. In reply, Sri Lanka also started decently and both openers made 40+ runs and added 72 runs for the first wicket. But the fourth wicket partnership of 100 runs between Kumar Sangakkara (102) and Lahiru Thirimanne (69) helped Sri Lanka reach close to the 300-run mark. In the end, they chased down the target of the second last ball of the 50th over and won the match by 2 wickets. 

2. Sri Lanka (322/3) against India at The Oval

The second biggest chase for Sri Lanka came against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy at the Oval. Sri Lanka won the toss and asked India to bat first. India got off to a flying start, with Shikhar Dhawana and Rohit Sharma putting on 138 runs for the first wicket. Rohit scored 78 runs while Dhawan scored his century and made 125 runs. In the end, MS Dhoni made 63 runs and India scored 321/6 in their 50 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka had a shaky start as opener Niroshan Dickwella got out for just 7 runs. But after that, every Sri Lankan batter played their part in the chase. Kusal Mendis (89) and Danushka Gunathilaka (76) were the top scorers, and Sri Lanka chased down the target in 48.4 overs and won the match by seven wickets.

1. Sri Lanka (324/2) against England (Sri Lanka’s highest in ODI)

The highest ODI chase for Sri Lanka came against England at Leeds in 2006. It was the fifth ODI of the five-match series. It was England that won the toss and decided to bat first. They had a good start and added 82 runs for the first wicket. A number of English batters played a decent knock in the middle, but Marcus Trescothick scored a century. He made 121 runs off 118 balls, including 16 fours and one six.

England made 321/7 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka got a dream start as both openers scored their respective centuries and added 286 runs for the first wicket. Upal Tharanga made 109 runs while Sanath Jayasuriya made 152 runs off 99 balls. With a massive first wicket partnership, Sri Lanka chased down the target easily and won the match by 8 wickets. They chased down the target in just 37.3 overs and made 324/2.

List of Highest Run Chase in ODI by Sri Lanka