Top 5 lowest totals by Sri Lanka in test cricket

The Sri Lankan cricket team has been bowled out thrice below 80 runs in test cricket.

The Sri Lankan Cricket team are one of the most successful Asian sides in test cricket. Throughout their history, while they have been dominating at home, Sri Lanka have also registered several memorable away test matches and series wins.

While they have done this through the brilliance of legendary batsmen, there have been a few instances when an opponent’s bowling attack has blown away the Lankan batting line-up. This has resulted in Sri Lanka registering some of the lowest scores in test cricket.

On that note, let’s take a look at the five lowest totals recorded by Sri Lanka in test cricket.

Five lowest totals by Sri Lanka in test cricket:

5. 82 vs India, 1990; 82 vs England, 2011

Sri Lanka have been bowled out for the score of 82 runs twice in their test history.

The first instance occurred when India dismantled them in Chandigarh in 1990. Replying to India’s score of 288, Sri Lankan batting crumbled, getting all-out for the score of just 82 runs. Venkatapathy Raju starred for the hosts claiming 6/12. India won the match by an innings.

The second instance was against England in 2011 at Cardiff. Trailing by 96 runs in the second innings, the Lankans were bowled out for just 82. England won the game by an innings and 14 runs. Jonathan Trott was named Player of the Match for his double hundred.

4. 81 vs England, 2001

Sri Lanka put in an abject batting performance against England in 2001 at Colombo. Trailing by 48 runs in the second innings, Sri Lanka only managed 81 runs in their second innings. Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles starred for England claiming 4/11 in nine overs.

Despite a few hiccups England chased down the small target of 74 runs to seal the three-match series 2-1.

3. 73 vs Pakistan, 2006

One of Sri Lanka’s worst batting performances came against Pakistan in the second test of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka 2006 in Kandy. Despite a commanding 109-run lead in the first innings, Sri Lanka’s hopes of posting a daunting second-innings target were hindered by Mohammed Asif.

The pacer delivered a match-winning spell, claiming a five-wicket haul to bundle out the hosts for 73 runs. Pakistan won the game by eight wickets and Asif was named Player of the Match for his terrific bowling efforts.

2. 71 vs Pakistan, 1994

Another Sri Lankan collapse came against Pakistan during the third test of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in 1994 in Kandy. Batting first Sri Lanka’s batting lineup was blown away by the legendary pace duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who combined for all 10 wickets.

Pakistan won the test match by an innings and 52 runs to seal the three-match series 1-0. Waqar was named Player of the Match for his 11 wickets in the game.

1. 42 vs South Africa, 2024

Sri Lanka’s lowest total in test cricket came against South Africa in Durban in 2024. Batting second on the green pitch, Sri Lanka were bowled out for the score of just 42 runs.

Marco Jansen ran through the Lankan batting lineup, taking 7/13 in seven overs. Kusal Mendis top-scored for the visitors with only 13 runs.

(All stats are updated till 28th November 2024)

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