Top 5 most runs conceded by a bowler in a single ODI World Cup

With the advent of T20 cricket and the abundance of franchise leagues, the batting style of the players has drastically changed. The urge for batters to gamble and be aggressive in their game is now not only in T20 cricket but also in ODIs. Once a team total of over 300 was a mountain to climb in a 50-over game, but now things have changed and teams are aiming for over 400 runs. 

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While it is fun for both the batters and the spectators, the bowlers are the victims of this onslaught. This trend has also been reflected in cricket's biggest extravaganza - the ODI World Cup. Sometimes a bowler concedes around 100 or more runs in a single match and ends up being the worst economy bowler in the tournament after giving away a hell lot of runs.

Notably, seven of the bowlers who have conceded more than 400 runs in an edition of the Men's ODI World Cup have been in the last two editions of the mega event. Only four bowlers have conceded more than 500 runs in a single edition of the ODI World Cup. 

On that note, let's take a look at the top 5 most runs conceded by a bowler in an ODI World Cup. 

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5. Mustafizur Rahman 484 (2019)

Mustafizur Rahman was Bangladesh's key pacer in the 2019 World Cup. The left-arm seamer took 20 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 24.20. However, Rahman conceded 484 runs in the 72.1 overs he bowled. 

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4. Mitchell Starc - 502 (2019)

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was the highest wicket-taker in the 2019 edition. He took 27 wickets at an average of 18.59 in just 10 matches. Unfortunately, those wickets came at a price. The left-arm pacer conceded 502 runs in the 92.2 overs he bowled. Starc was instrumental in helping Australia reach the semi-finals in that edition.

3. Dilshan Madushanka - 525 (2023)

Dilshan Madushanka was the leader of Sri Lanka's pace attack in the 2023 World Cup. The left-arm pacer picked up 21 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 25.00 and an economy rate of 6.7. This includes one four-fer and one five-wicket haul. However, he conceded 525 runs in the 78.2 overs he bowled. 

2. Adil Rashid - 526 (2019)

England won their maiden ODI World Cup title in the 2019 edition but their spinners failed to make the expected impact in their successful campaign. Adil Rashid, the team's frontline white-ball spinner for some time now, was expensive to set an unwanted record. In his 11 matches, the right-arm spinner conceded 526 runs. He could grab just 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.71 and a woeful average of 47.81.

1. Haris Rauf - 533 (2023) 

Pace bowler Haris Rauf has been one of Pakistan's worst performers in their disappointing 2023 World Cup campaign. The right-arm quick leaked 533 runs in nine matches at an economy rate of 6.74 and an average of 33.31. Rauf entered the tournament with the 'dangerous' tag but he failed to make an impact although he managed to take 16 wickets.