In the frenetic world of ODI cricket, running between the wickets is as much an art as it is a risk. Power-hitting dominates modern white-ball cricket, but most often, the ability to judge singles and to avoid mix-ups decides matches. At least a few of these legendary players, despite their brilliance with the bat, found themselves getting dismissed all too often while attempting quick runs.
9 most run-out batters in ODI cricket
1. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 38 Run-Outs
% of dismissals by run out: 13.57%
While the legendary left-arm pacer of Pakistan, Wasim Akram, may arguably have been one of the greatest bowlers in cricketing history, his batting record is a different story altogether. Known to play those powerful, lower-order cameos, Akram very often found himself short of the crease.
In fact, throughout his two-decade career, Akram was run out a record 38 times in ODI history. His aggressive approach to batting, as well as attempting singles at the riskiest of times, often led to his undoing. Batting in the lower order, he often had tailenders for company-a situation not exactly conducive to clear communication.
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2. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 38 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 11.80%
Sharing top spot is Pakistan’s former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq – one of the most stylish yet notoriously slow runners between wickets. Scoring over 11,000 ODI runs, Inzamam’s running became the stuff of folklore – his hesitation and poor calling leading to countless comical, often costly, dismissals.
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Featured in arguably the most famous run-out in cricket history during the 1992 World Cup, courtesy of the diving direct hit by Jonty Rhodes, which has become an iconic image, the fact that Inzamam was never in a hurry made him always a risk on the field-a fact that shows even great batsmen can have glaring weaknesses.
3. Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka) – 37 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 16.09%
Sri Lanka’s Marvan Atapattu was a player known for his technical brilliance and mental toughness, and running between the wickets was his Achilles heel. Despite his poise at the crease, Atapattu was run out 37 times and that accounts for an astonishing 16% of his ODI dismissals.
His calm approach and moderate pace often led to mix-ups, particularly under pressure. Still, his batting resilience is among the most heralded, his high run-out percentage an anomaly in an otherwise decent career.
4. Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 32 Run-Outs
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Percentage of dismissals by run out: 10.39%
India’s classy batsman Mohammad Azharuddin graced the 1980s and 1990s with wristy stroke play and impeccable timing. Yet, running between the wickets often betrayed his flair.
With 32 run-outs, Azharuddin was often the victim of poor communication, especially with his inexperienced partners. His eagerness to rotate strike sometimes led to misjudged singles. Despite this flaw, his tally of over 9,000 ODI runs secures his place among India’s greatest.
5. Mark Waugh of Australia – 32 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 13.56%
Mark Waugh, twin brother of Steve Waugh, was an ever-stylish right-handed batsman who was known for his elegant stroke play and effortless timing. However, when it came to running between the wickets, he was anything but fluent.
Waugh’s 32 run-outs came often enough from his aggressive attempt to convert ones into twos. Though he had excellent placing, his confidence to sneak singles often got him out. However, his contribution to Australia’s dominance of ODI cricket in the 1990s is not contested.
6. Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) – 30 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 11.76%
The 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga was celebrated for his leadership and game awareness, but he was famously reluctant when it came to sprinting between the wickets.
Stocky and composed, Ranatunga preferred to score boundaries rather than run quick singles. His 30 run-outs reflect his slow movement and calculated risk-taking. Despite these running flaws, his tactical brilliance and calm batting under pressure defined Sri Lanka’s golden era.
7. Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) – 30 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 15.71%
With 30 dismissals, Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf is certainly one of the most run-out batsmen in ODI cricket. While he was a picture of serenity at the crease, his tendency to ball-watch instead of communicating with partners often proved costly.
The over 9,000 ODI runs that Yousuf scored eclipse this shortcoming, but his run-out percentage, nearly 16 percent, remains one of the quirkiest records in Pakistan cricket.
8. Rahul Dravid (India) – 29 Run-Outs
Run out % of dismissals: 11.65%
Nicknamed “The Wall”, Rahul Dravid was one of India’s most reliable batsmen, but his calm and methodical approach sometimes clashed with the high-tempo running style of partners like Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag.
He was run out 29 times in ODIs, a rare flaw in an otherwise near-perfect technique. For all those small mix-ups, though, his monumental 10,000-plus ODI runs underline his legendary consistency.
9. Allan Border (Australia) – 28 Run-Outs
Percentage of dismissals by run out: 11.11% Rounding off this list is Australian great Allan Border the very cornerstone of Australia’s revival in the 1980s. Renowned for his grit and leadership, Border’s 28 run-outs often came from pushing too hard to keep the scoreboard ticking.
An attacking captain who always led from the front, he took risks to keep the momentum going, often finding himself stranded mid-pitch. Still, his role in shaping modern Australian cricket remains monumental.
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