In today’s era, cricket is mainly dominated by batters. Especially in white-ball cricket, powerplay restrictions and two new balls have made it even more difficult for the bowlers to take wickets. In ODI cricket, we generally see that top-order batters score the most of the runs. But there are some ODI matches where the Number 11 batsman scored the big runs and shocked everyone.
1. Mohammad Amir (58 Runs)
Mohammad Amir is a former left-arm fast-bowler of Pakistan. In 2016, as a no. 11 batsman, he scored the highest runs ever by the last batsman of a team. In the 3rd ODI against England, England won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 444 runs, the highest ODI score of that time. After that, Pakistan came to bat, and they lost wickets at regular intervals. After losing nine wickets, Mohammad Amir came to bat and scored 58 off 28 balls, scoring five boundaries and four sixes.
2. Shoaib Akhtar (43 Runs)
Shoaib Akhtar is the fastest, and the most lethal bowler cricket has ever seen. All cricket viewers know that he has always been famous for his lethal bowling, but only a few know that as a no. 11 batsman, Shoaib Akhtar scored the second-highest runs in the ODI. England batted first in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy World Cup match against England and scored 246 runs. Pakistan could not chase the target, but everyone was shocked by seeing Shoaib Akhtar’s destruction. In that match, Shoaib Akhtar scored 43 runs in just 16 balls.
3. Makhaya Ntini (42 Runs)
In 2004, South Africa toured New Zealand, and in the 6th ODI match in Napier, Makhaya Ntini astonished everyone with his bat. South Africa won the toss in that match and decided to bat first. But South Africa could not manage to score even 200 runs. After the 9th dismissal at 119 runs, Makhaya Ntini came to bat and shocked everyone. He scored 42 runs off 35 balls in which three boundaries and two sixes were included. Even though New Zealand easily won the match, Makhaya Ntini’s inning became the highlight.
4. Joel Garner (37 Runs)
The 1983 World Cup win was one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history. But, one of the highest runs by the no. 11 batsman was scored in the 1983 World Cup. In the match, India batted and reached the target of 262 runs, which was reasonably achievable for the West Indie team. But their batting collapsed, and no batter scored big runs. However, Joel Garner did not give up and scored 37 runs, the world record for a no. 11 batsman for almost 19 years.
5. Peter Ongondo (36 Runs)
In 2001, West Indies toured Kenya for a three-match ODI series. In the 2nd ODI match, Kenya won the toss and chose to bat first. But that was a wrong decision as no batter scored runs. After the dismissal of the 9th wicket, Peter Ongondo came to bat. He scored 36 runs in 42 balls and smashed two fours and 1 six. With the help of his innings, Kenya managed to score 192 runs. However, this target was achievable for the West Indies, and they quickly chased the target as well and won the match by six wickets.
6. Steven Finn (35 Runs)
Steven Finn is a former right-arm fast-bowler of England. In 2011, England toured Australia for 7 match ODI series. In the 5th ODI match at Brisbane, Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. With the small contribution of every batter, Australia scored 249 runs. On the other hand, no England batter could score runs, and they were losing their wickets at regular intervals. Steven Finn came to bat at no. 11, and he surprised everyone. In the match, Steven Finn scored 35 off 24 balls.
7. Chris Pringle (34 Runs)
It was the 5th match of the Wills World Series, and West Indies and New Zealand were playing against each other. West Indies won the toss in the game and chose to bat first. From West Indies, Carl Hooper scored a century and helped his team to score 306 runs. In response, New Zealand quickly lost their wickets, and after losing the 9th wicket, Chris Pringle came to bat. Chris Pringle built a partnership with Dion Nash. Chris Pringle scored 34 runs in the match, the highest by any no. 11 batsman for New Zealand.
8. Jeetan Patel (34 Runs)
It was 1st semi-final between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Mahela Jayawardene played an epic innings of 115, and Sri Lanka scored 289 runs. In response, New Zealand did not start well, and no batter scored crucial runs. After the dismissal of the 9th wicket, it was confident that Sri Lanka would win the match, but Jeetan Patel got an opportunity to show his batting skills and scored 34 runs off 38 balls.
9. Mitchell McClenaghan (34 Runs)
In 2014, South Africa toured New Zealand for a three-match ODI series. In the 2nd ODI, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. From South Africa, Hashim Amla scored 119, Faf du Plessis scored 67, and South Africa scored 282. Then, New Zealand’s batting came, and except Luke Ronchi, no batter scored big runs. Ultimately, Mitchell McClenaghan showed his batting skills and scored 34 off 43 balls in the no. 11 position.
10. Mushtaq Ahmed (34 Runs)
Mushtaq Ahmed is a former right-arm leg-spinner of Pakistan, and in 2000, he scored one of the highest runs in the last batting position. It was the 6th match of the Single Triangular Series, which South Africa and Pakistan played. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Except for Azhar Mahmood, no Pakistani batter could even score 30 runs. But with the help of Mushtaq Ahmed’s 34 off 50 balls, Pakistan reached 153 runs. Ultimately, South Africa quickly chased the target and won the match by seven wickets.
