Biggest losers – teams with the most losses in ODI cricket by numbers and percentages

Jofra Archer of England
England have lost approximately 45 percent of their matches in the history of ODI cricket.

The first ODI was played in 1971. More than 50 years later, the format has evolved.

Some countries have been stronger at ODI cricket than others, but none of the nations on this list have a particularly impressive win ratio.

Here, we take a look at the loss percentages of several ODI teams since the introduction of the format in 1971.

They are ordered from lowest loss percentage to highest loss percentage.

1. South Africa – 241 losses in 681 ODIs (loss percentage: (35%)

The Proteas, like the Australians, have the lowest loss percentage among the biggest teams in ODI cricket. South Africa have achieved this despite never winning a Cricket World Cup title. Their several ‘choker’ exits at crucial stages of the tournament is well documented.

2. Australia – 352 losses in 1,008 ODIs (loss percentage: 35%)

With six Cricket World Cup and two Champions Trophy titles, Australia have the joint-best loss percentage in world cricket. They are the reigning Cricket World Cup champions.

3. India – 445 losses in 1,058 ODIs (loss percentage: 42%)

India, rather predictably, have played the most ODIs in the history of the format. They have won the Cricket World Cup title twice, but not again since 2011. They continue to play a relatively prolific number of bilateral ODI series each year.

4. Pakistan – 430 losses in 979 ODI (loss percentage: 44%)

Pakistan are the reigning Champions Trophy title holders and won the Cricket World Cup in 1992. They went for a long period without playing international cricket at home and, here and there, continue to adopt the United Arab Emirates as their home away from home.

5. England – 362 losses in 805 ODIs (loss percentage: 45%)

England won the Cricket World Cup in 2019, but their downward slide in ODI cricket since has been evident. They will have a chance to improve to reduce their ODI loss percentage at this year’s Champions Trophy.

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6. New Zealand – 397 losses in 829 ODIs (loss percentage: 46%)

Runners-up at the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cup, the Black Caps remain in pursuit of a title win at this major tournament. New Zealand won the Champions Trophy in 2000.

7. West Indies – 415 losses in 882 ODIs (loss percentage: 47%)

Cricket World Cup winners in 1975 and 1979, the West Indies then won the Champions Trophy in 2004. It’s not ODI cricket, but they also have two T20 World Cup titles.

8. Afghanistan – 84 losses in 175 ODIs (loss percentage: (48%)

Afghanistan are relative newcomers to ODI cricket and have exited the Cricket World Cup in the group stage three times. This year will be their first appearance at the Champions Trophy.

9. Sri Lanka – 455 losses in 929 ODIs (loss percentage: 49%)

The Sri Lankans have almost lost as many ODIs as they have won. They won the Cricket World Cup in 1996. But they did not qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

10. Ireland – 105 losses in 204 ODIs (loss percentage: 51%)

Ireland are also newcomers to this format of international cricket. They have, indeed, lost more than they have won – but only just. They have a famous ODI win over England at the 2011 Cricket World Cup to brag about still.

11. Bangladesh – 274 losses in 444 ODIs (loss percentage: 62%)

Bangladesh reached the quarter-finals stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. At the 2017 Champions Trophy, they were knocked out in the semi-finals.

12. Zimbabwe – 402 losses in 578 ODIs (loss percentage: 70%)

Zimbabwe made it to the Super Sixes stage of the 1999 and 2023 Cricket World Cup. They have not been in the Champions Trophy since 2004.

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