ODI World Cup is a multinational cricket tournament that consists of the best teams around the world competing to become World champions. This tournament takes place once every four years. The inaugural edition was played in England in 1975, and West Indies came out victorious. Team India became the champions in 1983, beating West Indies in the final.
They defended a low score of 183 runs and won by 43 runs. But that is not the lowest team total that has been successfully defended in the World Cup. In this article, we will talk about the top ten lowest targets defended by a team in a World Cup event.
Lowest Total defended in ICC Cricket World Cup
| Winner | Target | Against | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 135 | England | Lavington Oval | 18/03/1992 | Zimbabwe won by 9 runs |
| England | 166 | Pakistan | Headingley | 16/06/1979 | England won by 14 runs |
| Kenya | 167 | West Indies | Nehru Stadium | 29/02/1996 | Kenya won by 73 runs |
| England | 172 | South Africa | MA Chidambaram | 06/03/2011 | England won by 6 runs |
| Canada | 181 | Bangladesh | 11/02/2003 | Canada won by 60 runs | |
| India | 184 | West Indies | Lord’s | 25/06/1983 | India won by 43 runs |
| Pakistan | 185 | Canada | R Premadasa | 03/03/2011 | Pakistan won by 46 runs |
| Bangladesh | 186 | Scotland | Grange Cricket Club | 24/05/1999 | Bangladesh won by 22 runs |
| South Africa | 200 | Sri Lanka | Northampton | 19/05/1999 | South Africa won by 89 runs |
| South Africa | 201 | West Indies | AMI Stadium | 05/03/1992 | South Africa won by 64 runs |
5. Canada (180 runs) vs Bangladesh in 2003
One of the most famous World Cup upsets was in 2003. It was the game between Canada and Bangladesh in Durban. Batting first, Canada failed and got all out for 180 runs in 49.1 overs. Not many gave them the chance. But their bowlers did an excellent job. Bangladesh got all out for just 120 runs courtesy of Austin Codrington’s 5/27. Canada won that game by 60 runs.
4. England (171 runs) vs South Africa in 2011
England had successfully defended some low totals in World Cup events. One such case was seen in the 2011 editions. It was the 21st game of the tournament in Chennai. England made 171 runs in the first inning, with Ravi Bopara scoring 60. But the second inning was even worse. South Africa reached only 165 runs in 47.4 overs and lost. Stuart Broad took 4/15.
3. Kenya (166 runs) vs West Indies in 1996
The third lowest total was defended by Kenya. They did this during the 1996 World Cup in Asia. This was the 21st game of the tournament. Batting first, Kenya were bowled out for just 166 runs in 49.3 overs. But their bowlers restrained the opposition and bowled the West Indies out for just 93 runs in 35.2 overs to win by 73 runs.
2. England (165 runs) vs Pakistan in 1979
England restricted a low total during the second edition in 1979 at home. It was the 12th game between England and Pakistan. In the first innings, England only managed a score of 165/9 in 60 overs. In response, Pakistan got all out for just 51 runs in 56 overs, and England won by 14 runs. Mike Hendrick bowled 12 overs for 4/15.
1. Zimbabwe (134 runs) vs England in 1992
The record for the lowest total defended belongs to Zimbabwe. They did it during the 1992 World Cup against England in Albury. It was the 35th game of the tournament, and they batted first and got all out for 134 runs in 46.1 overs. Captain David Houghton made the most runs with 29. But in reply, England had a horrible batting display. They got all out for 125 runs in 49.1 overs and lost by 9 runs. It is one of the biggest World Cup upsets.