Batsmen who have been not out in 90s in an unsuccessful ODI run-chase

The nervous nineties refer to a specific form of analysis paralysis, felt by a batsman when he has scored more than 90 runs in an innings and is nervous because of the pressure and desire to convert this into a century. However, there are batsmen who unfortunately got stuck in the 90s in ODI cricket and couldn’t reach the 100-run landmark. Here’s a look at 12 batsmen who remained unbeaten in the 90s in unsuccessful ODI run chases.

1. Bruce Laird (Australia) 91* v Pakistan:

The first to suffer this fate was Australia’s opening batsman Bruce Laird. He carried his bat with an unbeaten 91 against Pakistan in Lahore in 1982 in a run-chase of 235. In a 40-over match, the Aussies ended with 206/4 hence losing the match by 28 runs. This was Laird’s last ODI for his country.

2. Sunil Gavaskar (India) 92* v Australia:

Sunil Gavaskar made 92 not out for India against Australia in Sydney in 1986. He carried his bat in a run-chase of 293 but India fell short by 100 runs. The team finished with 192/4 from 50 overs and never threatened to challenge the target. Gavaskar’s knock included just 4 fours from 144 balls.

3. Hansie Cronje (South Africa) 98* v Australia:

The South African made a brilliant 98 not out against Australia in Lahore in 1994 in a run-chase of 208. It didn’t prove enough though as his team lost a close contest by 6 runs. The right-hander smashed 7 fours and a six however the Proteas lost 8 wickets and finished with 201.

4. Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) 97* v Zimbabwe:

The Sri Lankan legend made 97 not out against Zimbabwe at Harare in 1994 in a thrilling match. Batting first the home side scored 290/5 and in reply the visitors were going strong however fell short by just 2 runs. The classy right-hander’s knock included 5 fours and 1 six.

5. Sameer Dighe (India) 94* v West Indies:

Former India stumper’s only ODI half-century came in a losing cause. His 94 not out against West Indies came at Harare in 2001. Chasing a target of 291 India fell short by 16 runs having scored 274/8. Though, it was a commendable recovery by the team from 80/5 courtesy Dighe’s gutsy knock.

6. Paul Collingwood (England) 91* v India:

Paul Collingwood played a captain’s knock however it didn’t prove enough as England lost the match against India at Headingley in 2007. Chasing a target of 325, the home side finished with 242/8 from 39 overs that included Collingwood’s unbeaten 91. India won by 38 runs (Duckworth-Lewis method).

7. Thilina Kandamby (Sri Lanka) 93* v India:

The left-handed Sri Lankan’s career best was made against India in Colombo in 2009 in a losing cause. Batting first the visitors made 256/9 and in reply, the home side fell short by 15 runs being bowled out in 49.2 overs. Kandamby’s 93 not out off 129 balls included 9 fours.

8. Alex Obanda (Kenya) 96 v Zimbabwe:

Kenya’s right-handed batsman Alex Obanda made his career best unbeaten 96 against Zimbabwe in Nairobi in 2009 but his team lost the match by a margin of 66 runs. Batting first the visitors scored 285/8 and in reply, the home team was bowled out for 219 in 49 overs.

9. Collins Obuya (Kenya) 98 v Australia:

Another career best went in vain as Australia beat Kenya in Bangalore in the 2011 World Cup match. Collins Obuya made 98 not out in a mighty difficult run-chase of 325. Kenya made 264/6 and lost the match by 60 runs. Obuya, who was the top scorer from either side, was given the man-of-the-match award for his valiant effort.

10. Swapnil Patil (UAE) 99* v Scotland:

UAE’s Swapnil Patil was stranded on 99 not out on debut at the end of the game against Scotland in Lincoln in 2014. Chasing a target of 286 UAE made 244/9 and lost the match by 41 runs. This is Patil’s career best knock and he is yet to score a hundred in this format.

11. James Taylor (England) 98* v Australia:

James Taylor made 98 not out against Australia in Melbourne on the opening day of the 2015 World Cup. Batting first the home side made a mammoth 342/9 which was always going to be difficult for their arch rivals. England was bundled out for 231 in 41.5 overs and Taylor couldn’t finish a well-deserved hundred.

12. Shoaib Malik (Pakistan) 96* v Zimbabwe:

Shoaib Mallik scored 96 not out for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2015 however his team ended up losing the game. Chasing a target of 277 the visitors were in the game for most parts of the innings, however, fell short by 5 runs. Pakistan made 256/8 in 48 overs and lost by the said margin as per the Duckworth-Lewis method.