In One Day International (ODI) cricket, batting at number 11 is considered one of the toughest jobs. The player coming in at this position is usually a specialist bowler rather than a batter. By the time the last player walks onto the field, the team has already lost nine wickets, and there is often very little time left to score runs. Because of this, number 11 batters rarely make headlines with the bat. However, cricket has produced several unforgettable moments when the final batter has surprised everyone with a fighting innings.
The record for the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs is one of the most unique records in cricket history. Unlike records for centuries or double hundreds, these innings are remembered because they came from players whose main role was bowling. Their contributions may not always have won matches, but they added valuable runs, frustrated opposition bowlers, and showed great determination under pressure.
List of 5 Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs
5. Shane Bond

Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond is remembered as one of the fastest bowlers to play international cricket. Throughout his career, he troubled many of the world’s best batters with his pace, accuracy, and swing. While Bond’s bowling achievements made him famous, he also showed that he could contribute with the bat when his team needed him.
Bond earned his place among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs during an ODI against Australia at Colombo (SSC) on 15 September 2002. Batting at number 11, he arrived at the crease with New Zealand almost out of wickets. Most cricket fans expected the innings to end quickly because Australia had a strong bowling attack.
| Player | Runs | Inns | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Bond | 26 | 2 | New Zealand |
4. Chris Pringle

Chris Pringle is another New Zealand fast bowler who features among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs. Best known for his reliable seam bowling, Pringle surprised everyone with an unbeaten innings against the powerful West Indies bowling attack in Guwahati on 1 November 1994.
When Pringle came to the crease, New Zealand had already lost nine wickets. The West Indies bowlers expected to finish the innings quickly, but the final batter had other ideas. Instead of throwing his wicket away, Pringle batted with confidence and excellent composure. He carefully selected the right balls to attack while defending strongly against the good deliveries.
| Player | Runs | Inns | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Pringle | 34 | 2 | New Zealand |
3. Peter Ongondo

Kenya’s Peter Ongondo produced one of the most surprising lower-order innings in ODI cricket when he scored 36 runs against the West Indies at Nairobi (Gym) on 18 August 2001. Ongondo was known primarily as a fast bowler, and very few people expected him to make such a valuable contribution with the bat. His innings remains one of the finest examples of the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs.
When Ongondo walked out to bat at number 11, Kenya had only one wicket remaining. The West Indies bowlers were looking to end the innings quickly, but Ongondo showed remarkable determination. Instead of playing recklessly, he focused on staying at the crease and making every scoring opportunity count. His confidence grew with every run, and he soon began to frustrate the opposition.
| Player | Runs | Inns | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Ongondo | 36 | 1 | Kenya |
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2. Joel Garner

West Indies legend Joel Garner is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. Standing over six feet eight inches tall, Garner was famous for his pace, bounce, and deadly yorker that troubled batters around the world. While his bowling achievements made him a cricketing icon, he also earned a place among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs through an outstanding innings against India.
Garner scored 37 runs at number 11 during an ODI in Manchester on 9 June 1983. At the time, very few people expected a specialist fast bowler to produce such a valuable batting performance. Coming to the crease as the final batter, Garner faced the challenge of protecting the last wicket while also adding useful runs to his team’s total.
| Player | Runs | Inns | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Garner | 37 | 2 | West Indies |
1. Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar holds the record among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs. Known around the world as the “Rawalpindi Express,” Akhtar earned his reputation through his incredible bowling speed rather than his batting ability. He was one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, regularly troubling the world’s best batters with deliveries that exceeded 150 km/h. However, one unforgettable innings with the bat ensured that his name would also become part of ODI batting records. Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs
Akhtar achieved this remarkable feat against England during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup at Cape Town on 22 February 2003. Pakistan’s innings was coming to an end when Akhtar walked in to bat at number 11. Most fans expected the final wicket to fall quickly because England’s bowlers had already dismissed the rest of the batting lineup. Instead, Akhtar produced one of the greatest lower-order innings ever seen in One Day International cricket.
| Player | Runs | Inns | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoaib Akhtar | 43 | 2 | Pakistan |
The record for the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs is one of the most fascinating achievements in One Day International cricket. Unlike top-order batters, number 11 players are usually specialist bowlers whose primary responsibility is taking wickets rather than scoring runs. They often come to the crease with only one wicket remaining, making it extremely difficult to build an innings. That is why every run scored from this position becomes valuable. Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs
The five players featured in this list proved that determination and confidence can overcome expectations. Shane Bond displayed courage against Australia, Chris Pringle remained unbeaten to frustrate the West Indies, Peter Ongondo played a memorable innings for Kenya, and Joel Garner held the record for many years with his outstanding knock against India. At the very top, Shoaib Akhtar set a record that still stands today with his remarkable 43-run innings against England during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has the highest score among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs?
Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar holds the record with 43 runs against England during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
2. Why is the record for the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs so special?
It is special because number 11 batters are usually specialist bowlers who rarely get enough deliveries to score many runs.
3. Which New Zealand players feature among the Number 11 Batters with the Highest Individual Scores in ODIs?
Shane Bond and Chris Pringle are the two New Zealand cricketers included in this list.
4. Who held the record before Shoaib Akhtar?
West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner held the record with 37 runs against India before Shoaib Akhtar surpassed it.
5. Has anyone broken Shoaib Akhtar’s record?
No. Shoaib Akhtar’s 43-run innings remains the highest individual score by a number 11 batter in ODI cricket.