Four shortest ODIs to be played between two full member nations in the 21st century (in terms of balls)

In an era that has been heavily dominated by the batters, very seldom do we see the bowlers unleash hell, especially in the white-ball format. Viewers want to be thoroughly entertained and turn up in large numbers in anticipation of a high-scoring thriller. But at times, their aspirations get quashed when they see the in-form batters implode without offering a fight. And when that happens, the game gets wrapped up far too quickly, even before someone even tries to take notice of it. 

While most of these games are won mostly in a one-sided manner, we bring you the four shortest ODI fixtures that have been played between two member nations since the start of the 21st century. Interestingly, Sri Lanka have had a role to play in all four ODI fixtures as we are about to find out.

See also: Four shortest Tests played in the 21st century (in terms of balls)

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2001 – 120 balls

This ODI fixture goes down in the record books as being the shortest ODI ever to be played in the history of the game. This opening game of the LG Abans Triangular Series featured a clash between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe that lasted a paltry 120 balls in two innings combined. The Zimbabwean batters were all at sea as none of them, apart from Stuart Carlisle (16 off 35), could get to double figures. The Zimbabwean innings folded in less than 90 minutes as Chaminda Vass wreaked havoc by picking 8-19 to derail Zimbabwe for just 38, which at the time was Zimbabwe's lowest Test score. As one could expect, Zimbabwe hardly had a chance with the ball as Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu quickly raced out of the blocks to complete the run chase in only 4.2 overs. 

India vs Sri Lanka, 2023 – 129 balls

The 2023 Asia Cup Final ended in an absolute disaster for the home side as Sri Lanka were annihilated by India. The final was staged at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Mohammed Siraj unleashed sheer carnage at the Lankan batters, who were simply not prepared on that day to face the unprecedented onslaught from the speedster. He ran through the fragile Lankan batting lineup like a raging fire and bagged his career-best ODI figures of 6-21 to sink Sri Lanka for just 50. The Sri Lankan innings only lasted a little over 15 overs, with Kusal Mendis being the top run getter with 17 runs to his name. India did not waste any time with the bat and chased down the target in only 6.1 overs without losing a wicket. The entire ODI game lasted 129 balls, thus making it the second shortest ODI ever and the shortest ODI final by balls bowled.

Sri Lanka vs Canada, 2003 – 140 balls

In the 18th fixture of the 2003 ODI World Cup, Sri Lanka crushed the minnows Canada by nine wickets at Boland Park in Paarl, making it the third shortest ODI with just 140 balls bowled. The underrated Prabath Nissanka had a stellar outing in this game, picking up 4-12 while Vaas also got into the act, accounting for three scalps to obliterate Canada for 36 in 18.4 overs. The Lankan batters hardly broke a sweat as the target was chased down inside the fifth over with more than 270 balls to spare. All in all, the game took less than two hours to get wrapped up. 

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2004 – 164 balls

This infamous ODI saw Zimbabwe stoop to a new low as they were bowled out for just 35 runs. In the process, they also bagged the record for scoring the lowest-ever ODI score. The pressure from the Lankan quicks was relentless as the Zimbabwean innings lasted only 18 overs. Chaminda Vaas starred with the ball and picked up four wickets and four maidens in his nine overs. Farvez Maharoof, the man on debut, also returned impressive figures of 3-3 in his three overs, while Dilhara Fernando accounted for the remaining two wickets to sink Zimbabwe for a shambolic total. Zimbabwe, playing with a second-string team at that time, had no answer to the sheer brilliance from the Lankan bowlers, with Dion Ebrahim emerging as the top run scorer with only seven runs to his name. Sri Lanka were in no mood to hang around with the bat and lost just one wicket before getting to their target with Saman Jayantha, staying unbeaten on 28 till the end.