There is no drama in cricket quite like a great run chase: the required rate climbing, wickets falling, and a finish that leaves stadiums shaking. These five ODI chases stand above the rest.
1. South Africa vs Australia, Johannesburg 2006 — 438/9 chases 434/4
The undisputed king of run chases. Australia posted a then-world-record 434/4, and South Africa hunted it down with one wicket and one ball to spare, finishing on 438/9. Herschelle Gibbs' 175 off 111 balls remains one of the great ODI innings. With 872 runs in a single day, this match redefined what was possible in 50-over cricket.
2. India vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup Final, Mumbai — 277/4 chases 275
Chasing 275 in a World Cup final, under the heaviest pressure in the sport, India lost two early wickets before Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91 not out) rebuilt the innings. Dhoni's promotion ahead of Yuvraj Singh and his famous six to finish the match sealed India's first World Cup in 28 years.
3. England vs West Indies, Bridgetown 2019 — 361/6 chases 360
Part of an absurd ODI series, England chased 361 with Jason Roy (123) and Joe Root (102) leading the way, winning with eight balls left. It was England's highest successful ODI chase at the time and a statement of the fearless batting philosophy that carried them to the World Cup title months later.
4. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2014 Asia Cup Final, Mirpur — 261/5 chases 261
In a final, against Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Pakistan chased 261 with composure. Fawad Alam's unbeaten century anchored the innings before Shahid Afridi's legendary back-to-back sixes off Malinga in the penultimate over turned a tense finish into a famous victory.
5. Australia vs South Africa, 2002 VB Series Final, Sydney — 283/4 chases 282
Before Johannesburg, this was the benchmark. Set 283 in a tri-series final, Australia were guided home by Ricky Ponting's unbeaten 124 and a young Michael Clarke's fearless 39 not out, winning with three balls to spare against a champion South African attack.
Great chases share the same ingredients: belief, calculated risk, and at least one innings for the ages. Every generation gets its own — which will be next?