What Are the Lowest Totals by Top-Ranked Test Teams on Asian Soil?

In the world of cricket, even the best teams sometimes face their moments of vulnerability. While Indian cricket is often revered for its strength and resilience, it was recently reminded that even top-ranked teams can experience severe collapses, especially on the unpredictable pitches of Asia. The 2024 Test series between India and New Zealand hit a historic low as India crumbled for just 46 runs in Bengaluru, sparking fresh debates on the lowest team totals by top-ranked sides on Asian soil..

India: 46

The latest entry on this list came in 2024, when India was dismissed for a meager 46 in Bengaluru. New Zealand's pace duo of Matt Henry (5/15) and William O'Rourke (4/22) dismantled India's batting line-up with frightening efficiency. India quickly found themselves in trouble, slumping to 10/3 within the first 10 overs. By lunch, they had lost six wickets, and their innings was promptly finished off after the break.

Rishabh Pant’s 20 and debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13 were the only flickers in India’s lowest Test total at home and third-lowest ever. New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a masterclass, making this a historic and humbling defeat India won’t soon forget on home soil.

West Indies: 53

Back in ‘86, the mighty West Indies stumbled harder than a tail-ender facing a googly under floodlights! Chasing 240 in Faisalabad, they crashed to 53 all out in just 25.3 overs, barely enough time to warm up the dressing room tea. Abdul Qadir, spinning webs like a cricketing sorcerer, bagged six scalps and left the Windies scratching their heads. Pakistan walked away with a thumping 186-run win

This was a West Indian team packed with some of the greatest players in the game, including the likes of Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd, but the spin-friendly conditions in Faisalabad proved too challenging.

Pakistan: 53

Fast forward to 2002 in Sharjah, where Pakistan’s batting crumbled not once, but twice, like a sandcastle against Australia’s bowling tide. In the second innings, they folded for just 53, with Shane Warne spinning a web of 4/11 in 11 overs. Imran Nazir’s 16 was the lone act of defiance, but it felt more like a polite knock on the Aussie fortress.

After a dismal 59 in the first innings, Pakistan followed up with an even worse 53 in the second, crumbling under Australia’s bowling onslaught. With the Aussies piling on 310 runs, the 186-run defeat was a brutal reminder of Pakistan’s batting fragility against top-tier bowlers.

Pakistan: 59

Continuing the theme of 2002, Pakistan's first innings in the same Sharjah Test against Australia saw them bowled out for just 59 runs. Abdul Razzaq was the only Pakistani batsman to make any meaningful contribution, scoring 21 runs. The rest of the team was unable to make double digits as Australia's legendary spinner Shane Warne led the charge with figures of 4/11.

This match encapsulated Pakistan's inability to handle the pressure of top-tier fast bowling and spin in challenging conditions. While the 53-run second innings will go down as one of the most embarrassing moments in Pakistan's cricket history, the 59-run first innings wasn't far behind.