Bowlers with most wickets in ODI cricket

Here are the key details about Wasim Akram’s achievements in ODI cricket as one of the greatest bowlers in the format:

• Total Wickets: 502 wickets (the second-most in ODI history and the most by any Pakistani bowler).
• Matches Played: 356 ODIs for Pakistan.
• Bowling Average: 23.52 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 3.89 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 5 wickets for 15 runs against Zimbabwe in Karachi in 1993.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 6 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1984–2003.
• Bowling Style: Left-arm fast.

Known as the “Sultan of Swing,” Wasim Akram revolutionized fast bowling, especially with his mastery of reverse swing. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, playing key roles with both ball and bat.

3. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)

Here are the key details about Waqar Younis’ achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 416 wickets (the second-most by a Pakistani bowler in ODIs).
• Matches Played: 262 ODIs for Pakistan.
• Bowling Average: 23.84 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 4.68 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 7 wickets for 36 runs against England in Leeds in 2001.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 13 times in ODIs (the most five-wicket hauls by any bowler in ODI history).
• Career Span: 1989–2003.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast.

Waqar Younis is renowned for his devastating yorkers and ability to swing the ball at high speeds, particularly in reverse swing conditions. He formed a legendary bowling partnership with Wasim Akram, making Pakistan’s fast-bowling attack one of the most feared in the 1990s.

4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)

Here are the key details about Chaminda Vaas’ achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 400 wickets (the highest by a Sri Lankan fast bowler and the 4th most in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 322 ODIs for Sri Lanka.
• Bowling Average: 27.53 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 4.18 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 8 wickets for 19 runs against Zimbabwe in Colombo in 2001 (the best bowling figures in ODI history).
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 4 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1994–2008.
• Bowling Style: Left-arm fast-medium.

Chaminda Vaas was a key figure in Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for over a decade, providing consistent breakthroughs with his accurate line and length. His record-breaking 8/19 remains unmatched in ODI cricket and is a testament to his skill and versatility as a bowler.

5. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Here are the key details about Shahid Afridi’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 395 wickets (the 5th highest in ODI history and the 3rd most by a Pakistani bowler).
• Matches Played: 398 ODIs for Pakistan.
• Bowling Average: 34.51 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 4.62 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 7 wickets for 12 runs against the West Indies in Providence, Guyana, in 2013.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 9 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1996–2015.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin.

Known as “Boom Boom Afridi,” Shahid Afridi was a true all-rounder who contributed significantly with both bat and ball in ODIs. Afridi holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in ODIs for Pakistan.

6. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)

Here are the key details about Shaun Pollock’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 393 wickets (the highest by a South African bowler and 6th overall in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 303 ODIs for South Africa.
• Bowling Average: 24.50 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 3.67 runs per over (one of the best economy rates in ODI history for bowlers with over 300 wickets).
• Best Bowling Figures: 6 wickets for 35 runs against the West Indies in East London in 1999.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 5 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1996–2008.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium.

Shaun Pollock was known for his impeccable line and length, making him one of the most economical bowlers in ODI cricket. As a reliable all-rounder, he contributed significantly with both bat and ball, adding depth to South Africa’s lower-middle order.

7. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Here are the key details about Glenn McGrath’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 381 wickets (the highest by an Australian bowler and 7th overall in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 250 ODIs for Australia.
• Bowling Average: 22.02 runs per wicket (one of the best averages among bowlers with over 300 wickets).
• Economy Rate: 3.88 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 7 wickets for 15 runs against Namibia in Potchefstroom during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 7 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1993–2007.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium.

Glenn McGrath was renowned for his incredible accuracy, consistency, and ability to extract bounce and seam movement even on flat pitches. He played a crucial role in Australia’s dominance in world cricket during his career, helping them win three consecutive ICC Cricket World Cups (1999, 2003, and 2007). McGrath was the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, with 71 wickets across four editions.

8. Brett Lee (Australia)

Here are the key details about Brett Lee’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 380 wickets (the 2nd most by an Australian bowler and 8th overall in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 221 ODIs for Australia.
• Bowling Average: 23.36 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 4.75 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 5 wickets for 22 runs against England in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in Perth.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 3 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1999–2012.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast.

Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers in the history of cricket, regularly clocking speeds in excess of 150 km/h (93 mph), and his express pace made him a constant threat to batsmen. Known for his aggressive and attacking style, Lee played a key role in Australia’s dominance in world cricket, particularly during their 2003 and 2007 World Cup victories.

9. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Here are the key details about Lasith Malinga’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 338 wickets (the second-most by a Sri Lankan bowler and 9th overall in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 226 ODIs for Sri Lanka.
• Bowling Average: 28.87 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 5.35 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 6 wickets for 38 runs against Kenya in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 3 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 2004–2019.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium (known for his distinctive round-arm action).

Lasith Malinga is widely regarded as one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers, especially known for his lethal yorkers and ability to bowl at the death. His unique bowling action and ability to consistently deliver yorkers made him a deadly weapon, particularly in the final overs of an innings.

10. Anil Kumble (India)

Here are the key details about Anil Kumble’s achievements in ODI cricket:

• Total Wickets: 337 wickets (the highest by an Indian bowler and 12th overall in ODI history).
• Matches Played: 271 ODIs for India.
• Bowling Average: 30.89 runs per wicket.
• Economy Rate: 4.30 runs per over.
• Best Bowling Figures: 6 wickets for 12 runs against the West Indies in Newlands, Cape Town, in 1993.
• Five-Wicket Hauls: 2 times in ODIs.
• Career Span: 1990–2007.
• Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin.

Anil Kumble is one of the most iconic bowlers in cricket history, particularly known for his ability to turn the ball sharply and his consistency over long periods. As India’s leading wicket-taker in ODIs, Kumble played a crucial role in India’s rise in international cricket.