There are many cricketers who have ruled in ODI cricket over the years with their consistent run scoring and big knocks in the format. However, there are also some cricketers who went on to have a memorable debut in the 50-over format.
There are several players who have scored a century on their ODI debut, whereas some players went on to play bigger knocks than the others in the maiden ODI. In the following listicle, we will discuss the top 10 cricketers to score highest runs on their ODI debut.
Highest score on ODI debut
10. Rob Nicol – 108 runs
Rob Nicol made his ODI debut for New Zealand in a match against Zimbabwe in Harare on October 20, 2011. The Kiwi batter made it memorable by scoring a hundred in his maiden ODI. Chasing a target of 232 runs, Nicol scored an unbeaten 108*(131) runs as New Zealand won the match by nine wickets with 39 balls to spare.
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9. Abid Ali – 112 runs
Pakistan’s Abid Ali is among a few cricketers to score a hundred on their debut in Test as well as in ODI cricket. He made his ODI debut in a match against Australia in Dubai on March 29, 2019. Chasing a target of 278 runs against the Aussies, Ali was the top scorer for Pakistan with 112(119) runs along with Mohammad Rizwan 104(102). However, both the centuries went in vain as Pakistan fell short of Australia’s total by just six runs.
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8. Phillp Hughes – 112 runs
Phillip Hughes announced his arrival in ODI cricket for Australia with a century on his maiden ODI match against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 11, 2013. Batting first, Australia posted a total of 305/5 in their 50 overs with Hughes top scoring with 112 runs off 129 balls, hitting 14 boundaries. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 198 runs and Australia won the match by 107 runs.
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7. Temba Bavuma – 113 runs
South Africa batter Temba Bavuma scored a century on his ODI debut against Ireland in Benoni on September 25, 2016. Bavuma scored 113(123) along with the half-centuries from JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock as the Proteas posted 354/5 and went on to win the match by a huge margin of 206 runs.
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6. Andy Flower – 115 runs
Former Zimbabwean cricketer Andy Flower put up the highest score by a Zimbabwe player on their ODI debut. Flower registered Player of the Match performance on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in New Plymouth on February 23, 1992. Batting first, Zimbabwe posted 312/4 with Flower top scoring with 115*(152) runs. However, the score wasn’t enough for Zimbabwe as Sri Lanka chased the target in 49.2 overs at the loss of seven wickets.
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5. Martin Guptill – 122 runs
Veteran New Zealand cricketer, Martin Guptill is also in the elite list of players who have scored a century on their ODI debut. Playing his maiden ODI against West Indies in Auckland on January 10, 2009, Guptill put up the highest total by a New Zealand cricketer on ODI debut. The opening batter scored 122(135) runs as New Zealand posted 275/4 in their 50 overs. However, the match ended with no result as rain decided to play spoilsport.
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4. Mark Chapman – 124 runs
Mark Chapman has played for Hong Kong and New Zealand in his international career so far. He made his ODI debut for Hong Kong in a match against United Arab Emirates in Dubai on November 16, 2015. Playing his first ODI, Chapman scored 124*(116) runs with 11 fours and two sixes as Hong Kong went on to win the match by 89 runs.
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3. Colin Ingram – 124 runs
Colin Ingram has put up the highest score on an ODI debut for South Africa. His knock came in match against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on October 15, 2010. Batting first, South Africa posted 351/6 with Ingram top scoring with 124 runs off 126 balls along with Hashim Amla’s 110(96) runs. In reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to 287/6 as the Proteas won the match by 64 runs.
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2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 127 runs
Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz delivered a Player of the Match performance on his ODI debut against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2021. The wicketkeeper-batter scored a run-a-ball 127 runs with eight fours and nine sixes to help Afghanistan defeat Ireland by 16 runs.
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1. Desmond Haynes – 148 runs
Former West Indies cricketer Desmond Haynes has a record for posting the highest score by a player on his ODI debut. Haynes played his maiden ODI match against Australia at St. Johns on February 22, 1978. The opening batter scored 148(136) runs which included 16 fours and two sixes and the Windies posted 313/9 on board. They went on to win by 44 runs in a rain-affected encounter.
