Top 10 Highest Chases in Cricket World Cup History

Ten balls to spare, that’s the entire margin behind the biggest successful chase in Cricket World Cup history Pakistan’s pursuit of 345 against Sri Lanka in 2023 remains the standard nobody has come close to since, and won’t be challenged again until the tournament returns in 2027.

Highest Chases in Cricket World Cup History

1) Pakistan — 345/4 vs Sri Lanka

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad — October 10, 2023

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108) powered their side to 344/9, the platform for what should have been a match-winning total. Pakistan lost two early wickets before Abdullah Shafique (113) and Mohammad Rizwan (131 not out) put together a 176-run stand off just 156 balls, chasing the record down with 10 balls unused. It was the first Cricket World Cup match ever to feature four individual centuries, and the highest successful chase the tournament has produced.

2) Ireland — 329/7 vs England

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — March 2, 2011

England posted 327/8 off centuries from Jonathan Trott’s platform-setting 92 and contributions from Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen. Ireland were 111/5 chasing 328 when Kevin O’Brien walked in and produced the fastest century in World Cup history — 113 off just 63 balls. His 162-run stand with Alex Cusack turned a near-certain defeat into one of the tournament’s most famous upsets, sealed with 3 wickets and 5 balls to spare.

3) Bangladesh — 322/4 vs Scotland

Saxton Field, Nelson — March 5, 2015

Kyle Coetzer’s 156 gave Scotland a competitive 318/8, setting Bangladesh a target of 319 — their biggest World Cup chase at the time. Tamim Iqbal (95) and Mahmudullah (62) put on a 139-run stand, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan both contributing half-centuries, as Bangladesh got home with 11 balls and six wickets in hand.

4) Bangladesh — 322/3 vs West Indies

Taunton — June 17, 2019

West Indies posted 321/8 on the back of half-centuries from Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, and Shimron Hetmyer. Bangladesh made the chase of 322 look comfortable, finishing with seven wickets and 51 balls to spare — a far more one-sided pursuit than their 2015 chase against Scotland, despite the near-identical final score.

5) Sri Lanka — 313/7 vs Zimbabwe

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth — February 23, 1992

This is the innings that started it all. Andy Flower’s unbeaten 115 and Andy Waller’s 83 pushed Zimbabwe to 312/4, the first 300-plus total successfully defended target in ODI history at that point — until Sri Lanka became the first team ever to chase down 300-plus in an ODI, getting home with three wickets and four balls to spare behind Arjuna Ranatunga’s unbeaten 88.

6) Sri Lanka — 312/1 vs England

Wellington Regional Stadium — March 1, 2015

England’s Joe Root scored 121 to anchor a total of 309/6. Sri Lanka barely broke stride: Lahiru Thirimanne (139 not out) and Kumar Sangakkara (117) put on an unbroken 212-run stand, finishing the chase with nine wickets still in hand and nine overs unused — the most dominant chase of a 300-plus target on this list.

7) Ireland — 307/4 vs Netherlands

Eden Gardens, Kolkata — March 2011

Ryan ten Doeschate’s second century of the tournament carried the Netherlands to 306, before their innings ended with four run-outs in four balls. Ireland chased it down comfortably behind Paul Stirling’s 72-ball century, winning with more than two overs to spare — their second 300-plus World Cup chase in the same tournament.

8) Ireland — 307/6 vs West Indies

Saxton Field, Nelson — 2015

West Indies recovered from 87/5 through Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons to post a target of 305. Ireland, led by William Porterfield’s side featuring Ed Joyce and the Stirling/O’Brien top order, chased it down with four wickets in hand — Ireland’s third and final 300-plus World Cup chase, a feat no other team had managed twice at that point.

9) England — 301/9 vs West Indies

Kensington Oval, Barbados — April 21, 2007

In Brian Lara’s final international appearance, Kevin Pietersen’s 91-ball century led England to a target of 301 with just one wicket to spare — the tightest finish on this list by wickets in hand.

10) South Africa — 300/7 vs India

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur — 2011

Chasing 297, South Africa got home with three wickets in hand in a tense finish that went deep into the closing overs — a reminder that not every entry on this list was a comfortable canter; several came down to the final few deliveries.