3 Best ODI bowling figures in a losing cause

Cricket as a sport has changed drastically over time, especially with the advent of shorter formats and the alterations of the rules that have changed the nature of the contest between the bowlers and the batsmen. However, one thing that has remained constant is that cricket is a team sport, where all the 11 players have to contribute in their respective domains to achieve victory.

That said, there have been numerous instances when a player has taken the game away from the opposition with his lone stupendous performance. Interestingly, these spell-binding performances have not always been able to take their team across the finish line.

Here are three phenomenal bowling performances in one-day international cricket which had all the attributes to be a match-winning performance but unfortunately ended up on the losing side.

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#3 Mitchell Starc - 6/28 against New Zealand, World Cup 2015

Mitchell Starc grabbed eyeballs when he took a four-wicket haul in his second ODI match, against Sri Lanka in 2010. While the effort came in a losing cause, Starc gained immediate stardom.

The lanky fast bowler with the ability to swing the ball at pace was looked at as a successor to Brett Lee, and became a regular feature in the Australian limited overs side.

But Starc's best one-day performance came against arch rivals New Zealand in the World Cup of 2015, when he dismissed six Kiwi batsmen while giving away a mere 28 runs in nine overs.

Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss and set a measly target of 152 for the Kiwis in a low-scoring encounter. Starc with his deadly late swing brought Australia back in the match, but the Black Caps managed to reach the target with a solitary wicket to spare.

# 2 Shane Bond - 6/23 against Australia, World Cup 2003

Shane Bond

Shane Bond is unarguably one of the best limited overs bowlers to have ever played for New Zealand. He became an immediate superstar when he bagged 21 wickets in 9 games in his debut series in 2002, which featured South Africa and Australia.

Bond had the incredible ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl pin-point yorkers in white ball cricket. In a super 6 game at the 2003 World Cup against Australia, Bond broke the back of the star-studded Australian batting line up by picking up 6 wickets for 23 runs in his quota of 10 overs.

However, his phenomenal performance could not fetch a win for his side, as the Black Caps lost the game by 96 runs.

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#1 Imran Khan - 6/14 against India, Sharjah 1985

Pakistan Captain Imran Khan after1992 Cricket World Cup Final

Imran Khan is certainly the best all-rounder to have ever played for Pakistan in the limited overs format.

He made his Test debut against England in 1971 and went wicketless in the game. But the fast bowler became famous in 1975, when he picked up five wickets in two ODI matches against England at an average of 11.80.

Imran registered his best bowling figures in the year 1985 in Sharjah against arch rivals India, bagging 6 wickets for 14 runs. Unfortunately for him, despite his phenomenal show with the ball, Pakistan lost the game by 38 runs.

This is the best bowling figures in ODI cricket which came in a losing cause.