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The One-Day format of the game is a riveting one where the action spans up to 100 overs in a day. The team which plays better through all the phases usually end up on the winning side.
The game witnessed several blockbuster finishes with the action building up until the 100th over of the match, with the chasing team needing a handful.
Today, let’s have a look at five successful chases in the last over of an ODI match:
1. Celkon Cup final – India vs Sri Lanka in 2013
The summit clash of the triangular series between India, Sri Lanka and hosts West Indies would be remembered for MS Dhoni’s finishing prowess, where he knocked off 13 runs required off the final over of Shaminda Eranga, with just one wicket in hand.
Sri Lanka set a target of 202 in front of the Indian team which was fresh off their triumphant 2013 Champions Trophy campaign.
The likes of Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina, threatened to chase down the score at ease, with the score at 139/3.
However, it all changed soon as the ‘Men in Blue’ were reduced to 167/8. Last man Ishant Sharma walked in with the score at 182/9.
It was Dhoni who shepherded India, with 13 required off the final over and launched the assault against Eranga, with a couple of deliveries to spare.
2. Fortune Cup – 1st ODI, Pakistan vs West Indies in 2008
The 2008 Pakistan-West Indies encounter at Abu Dhabi saw Kamran Akmal chasing down the total set by West Indies, with as many as 17 required in the final over.
Earlier, West Indies posted a daunting target of 295 in the first of three-match ODI series. Shoaib Malik put Pakistan in a respectable position.
However, it was Akmal’s 9-ball 24 cameo which changed the game for West Indies, with Pakistan requiring 33 off the final three overs. Jerome Taylor faced the brunt of Akmal’s bat as he dispatched him for three sixes.
3. 2nd ODI – Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh in 2006
The Zimbabwe-Bangladesh encounters have always turned out to be classics, and the 3rd ODI at Harare during the 2006 Bangladesh tour proved to be the same.
With the five-match series tied at 1-1, the Tigers were looking at a possible victory. Especially, after posting a challenging 236 and reducing the hosts to 151/7.
However, it was Brendan Taylor who turned out to be the hero of the day, with his match-winning knock of 79 off just 72 deliveries.
Zimbabwe needed 18 off the final over from Mashrafe Mortaza, and five required from the final delivery. Taylor smashed Mortaza in the final delivery for a maximum to help his side win the match.
4. Benson and Hedges World Series: England vs Australia in 1987
Australia hosted the Benson and Hedges World Series in 1987 where they met England at Sydney for the second round. The Aussies could manage only 233, after getting a decent start from Geoff Marsh and Dirk Welham.
Chasing a challenging total, David Gower and Chris Broad gave the perfect start for the Three Lions but were reduced to 202/7 in the 47th over.
England had their task cut-out with 18 required off the final over from Bruce Reid. It was Allan Lamb’s turn to be the hero of the match as he knocked off the required target with his brutal hitting, taking his team home with an unbeaten knock of 77.
5. 2nd ODI: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka in 2013
The rain-hit encounter between hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand reached its climax with 19 runs required off the final over from Rangana Herath.
Nathan McCullum did the unexpected and smashed Herath to all corners of the ground. The bowling all-rounder smashed a 9-ball 32 in the process to help New Zealand win a memorable game.
