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5 Highest Individual Scores For Zimbabwe In ODIs

Kaushik Kashyap

Brian Bennett hammered a blistering knock [Source: @ZimCricketv/X]Brian Bennett hammered a blistering knock [Source: @ZimCricketv/X]

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February 14, 2025 will be regarded as a day to remember for Zimbabwe Cricket as 21-year-old Brian Bennett played a masterful innings of 169 runs against Ireland in the first encounter of the three-match ODI series in Harare.

One Day International Cricket is regarded as one of the pillars of modern-day cricket, as the 50-over format has given some of the most memorable moments to cricket fans around the world. And today was such a day when a young Brian Bennett took on the Irish bowlers and went on to what became a record-breaking score.

Zimbabwe haven't been one of the powerhouses of world cricket, but they have produced some great players from time to time. Brian Bennett seems to be another player who just registered his name in history books and became the player with the fifth-highest individual ODI score for Zimbabwe.

So, on an occasion like this for Zimbabwe, let's take a look at the top five men's individual scores in One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe.

5. Brian Bennett’s 169 (163) vs Ireland, 2025

Brian Bennett had a memorable day in the office in the first ODI against Ireland in Harare. The explosive top-order batter scored his maiden ODI century and went on to earn the fifth spot in this elite list.

It was an innings of the highest order as the 21-year-old right-hander completely bossed the innings, with wickets falling regularly at the other end. Zimbabwe posted 299 runs on the board, and Bennett scored 169.

Bennett, who made his ODI debut against Pakistan last year in Bulawayo, achieved this magnificent feat in only his 7th ODI, beating the legendary keeper-batter Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 145, which has been shifted to 6th place in this list.

4. Craig Wishart’s 172* (151) vs Namibia, 2003

Craig Wishart's unbeaten 172-run innings is placed fourth in this list. Craig was another talented top-order batter who had a 10-year-long international career playing for Zimbabwe.

After putting to bat first on what was the only second day of the 2003 World Cup, Zimbabwe posted 340/2 on the board against Namibia, and Wishart was the main architect of the innings as the right-handed opener played a masterful innings, which included 18 fours and three sixes.

He remained unbeaten after playing the innings of his life and kick-off Zimbabwe's 2003 World Cup campaign in a splendid manner. It became a rain-curtailed match later, and Namibia fell off by 86 runs using the D/L method.

3. Sean Williams’ 174 (101) vs USA, 2023

Sean Williams is a household name in Zimbabwe cricket, and we rarely see his name not being featured in any of the record lists. Yes, the dynamic left-handed batter is the third name in this list for Zimbabwe for his mammoth 174-run innings against USA in a World Cup Qualifier game in Harare back in 2023.

It was the last group stage match of the Qualifier, and Zimbabwe were cruising through to the Super Six stage of the competition. After being put to bat first, Zimbabwe came out all guns blazing, and their stand-in skipper, Sean Williams, led from the front as he went on to complete his century in just 65 balls.

Williams finished with a record-breaking 174 off just 101, which included 21 boundaries and five sixes, while powering Zimbabwe to a mountainous 408-run total. Eventually, Zimbabwe won the game by 304 runs to keep the hosts unbeaten ahead of the next round.

2. Hamilton Masakadza’s 178* (167) vs Kenya, 2009

Hamilton Masakadza, who is yet another renowned name in Zimbabwe cricket, undoubtedly finds himself in second place on this list. The innings came during the fifth match of the five-match ODI series against Kenya back in 2009.

Despite it being a dead-rubber game, as Zimbabwe already sealed the series in the fourth ODI, Masakadza's record-breaking innings made it a memorable one in Harare. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat, where Masakadza came out firing and tore apart the Kenyan bowling attack throughout his stay.

It was the then-11th-highest individual score in ODI cricket, which included 17 fours and four sixes, helping Zimbabwe post a massive 329-run total. Kenya got bowled out for 187 runs, and Zimbabwe wrapped up the series with a huge 142-run victory.

1. Charles Coventry’s 194* (156) vs Bangladesh, 2009

Charles Coventry's unbeaten 194-run masterclass against Bangladesh in Bulawayo just two months before Masakadza's 178 in 2009 holds the top position in this elite list. Coventry was coming back into the team when he shook the whole world, scoring the then-joint-highest individual score in men's ODIs, equaling Pakistan's Saeed Anwar's tally.

It was a blockbuster of an innings which included 16 fours and seven sixes, pushing Zimbabwe to post over 300 runs in fifty overs. Despite being a good day to bat, barring Coventry, none of the Zimbabwe batters got going, which makes the incredible effort even more special.

However, on the back of another special innings from Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh hit back strong and chased down the 314-run target. Coventry's unbeaten 194 remained at the top of the all-time list until Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden ODI double century in Gwalior against South Africa in 2010.