Most cricket fans love the batsmen for their hard hitting skills and good shot selection. However, a good bowler can take out even the most experienced batsman with his great delivery. Cricket fans have seen some of the great bowlers in the game. Some of them went on to take highest wickets in the cricket history. Today, we will be looking at the list of Top 10 Highest Wicket Takers in ODI Cricket and Most ODI Wickets.
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Top 10 Highest Wickets Takers ODI Cricket | Most ODI Wickets
From Muttiah Muralitharan to Shahid Afridi and from Wasim Akram to Anil Kumble, Some of the greatest ODI Cricket bowlers have secured on the list of Highest Wicket Takers in ODI history. With their excellent bowling skills they dominated the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Here is the list of Most ODI Wickets in the cricket history.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Former Sri Lankan Right-Arm off-break bowler Muttiah Muralitharan takes the top spot on our list. He is regarded as the greatest bowler in the history of cricket. Not only in tests, Muralitharan also is the highest wicket taker in ODI history. He represented Sri Lanka in ODI format from 1993 to 2011.
Murali bowled 18,111 in 350 ODI matches during his career. He took 534 wickets at an average of 23.08 while giving away 12,326 runs. At the same time, his ODI career record 10 five wickets hauls. Whereas, his best bowling figures were 7/30 in ODIs with an economy of 3.93.
Muralitharan is the highest wicket taker in the history of ODI cricket. Thus, he deserves the top spot on our list of Most Wickets in ODI format.
2. Wasim Akram
At number 2 we have former Pakistani skipper and Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram on our list. He is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. Similarly, he is also considered the founder of reverse swing in cricket. Wasim Akram played 356 ODI matches from 1984 to 2003 for Pakistan.
He secured 502 wickets at an average of 23.52 during his career. Meanwhile, he bowled 18,186 balls and gave away 11,812 runs. Wasim has an economy of 3.89, with the best bowling figures of 5 for 15 in ODIs. Moreover, he also recorded 6 fifers in ODIs during his career.
Above all, Wasim Akram earns the spot on our list of Highest wicket takers in cricket history.
3. Waqar Younis
Next we have another Former Pakistani Captain and legendary bowler Waqar Younis on this count down. He is third highest wicket taker in ODIs with his 416 wickets in 262 ODIs at an average of 23.84. Waqar delivered 12,698 balls during his career and gave away 9916 runs.
During his career from 1989 to 2003, he recorded the best bowling figures of 7/36 with an economy of 4.68. Whereas, he also has 13 five wicket hauls in his ODI career. Apart from it, he also holds the record of fastest 300, 350 and 400 wickets in ODIs. Moreover, he is the only bowler to take five wicket hauls in three consecutive ODI innings.
Above all, Waqar Younis earns his name on our list of Most ODI wickets.
4. Chaminda Vaas
Former Sri Lakan Cricket hero Chamindah Vaas joins our list at the 4th place. He is the 4th highest wicket taker in ODIs. Vaas recorded 400 wickets at an average of 27.53 during his career from 1994 to 2009. He delivered 15,775 balls and gave away 11,014 runs in ODI format.
Vaas recorded 4 five wicket hauls with an economy of 4.18 in ODIs. Whereas, his best bowling figures were 8/19 in the format. He is the only bowler with an eight wicket hauls in ODI history and currently holds the record for best ODI bowling figures of 8/19.
Thus, Chamindah Vaas deserves a spot on our list of highest wicket takers in ODI history.
5. Shahid Afridi
At number 5 we have legendary Pakistani opener Shahid Khan Afridi. Nicknamed Boom Boom and lala, he is the 5th highest wicket taker in ODI history. Moreover, he is one of the greatest all-rounders the history of cricket as well. From 1996 to 2018, he took 395 wickets at an average of 34.51 in 398 ODI matches.
Afridi bowled 17,677 balls and gave away 13,632 runs in his ODI career. He recorded 9 five wicket hauls with the best bowling figures of 7/12 in ODI format. Whereas, he had an economy of 4.62. Shahid Afridi is the most popular cricketer in Pakistan with records of Fastest ODI hundred and most sixes in ODIs.
Above all, he earns a spot on our list of most ODI wickets.
6. Shaun Pollack
Next we have Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollack on our list at the 6th place. Regarded as the best medium fast pacers of all times, he is the 6th highest wicket taker in ODIs. From 1995 to 2008 Shaun Pollack played 303 ODI matches and took 393 wickets at an average of 24.50.
He bowled 15,712 balls in ODI cricket and gave away 9631 runs. Shaun picked up five fifers in ODI career. Whereas, his best bowling figures were 6/35 with an economy of 3.67. Moreover, Pollack also holds the record for bowling most maiden overs in ODI cricket history. Above all, he joins our list at the 6th spot.
7. Glenn McGrath
Legendary Australian right arm fast bowler Glenn McGrath makes the 7th spot on our list. He is one of the greatest Australian International bowlers of all times in cricket. From 1993 to 2007 he took 381 wickets in 250 ODI matches at an average of 22.07. He delivered 12,970 balls and gave away 8391 runs.
With a stunning economy rate of 3.88, he recorded 7 fifers in his career with best ODI bowling figures of 7/15. Apart from it, McGrath also holds the world record of most wicket in world cups with his 71 wickets. Not only this, he is also the 5th highest wicket taker in test as well.
Above al, Glenn McGrath Joins our list of most ODI wickets in cricket.
8. Brett Lee
Next we have another Australian fast bowler Brett Lee making up 8th spot on our list. He is the 8th highest wicket taker in ODIs and considered one of the best bowlers of his generation. From 1999 to 2012, Lee took 380 wickets in 221 ODI matches at an average of 23.36.
He bowled 11,185 balls in his ODI career giving away 8877 runs at an economy of 4.76. Moreover, his ODI career also marked nine five wicket hauls with best bowling figures of 5/22. Brett Lee is the 2nd fastest Australian to 100 wicket in ODIs.
Above all, he joins our list for most ODI wickets.
9. Lasith Malinga
Widely regarded best limited over bowlers of all times, former Sri Lankan right-arm fast-bowler Lasith Malinga takes the 9th spot on our list. He is the 9th highest wicket taker in ODIs. From 2004 to 2019, he took 338 wickets in 226 ODI matches at an average of 28.7.
Malinga bowled 10,936 balls and conceived 9760 runs at an economy of 5.35. His ODI career also marked eight five wicket hauls with best bowling figures of 6/38. Malinga is the first and only bowler to take three hat-tricks in One Day Internationals.
Thus, he joins our list of most wickets in ODIS.
10. Anil Kumble
Finally, we have former Indian Leg-Break bowler Anil Kumble making the last spot on our list. He is the 10th highest wicket taker in ODIs and is widely regarded among greatest test bowlers in cricket history. From 1990 to 2008, Kumble took 337 wickets in 271 ODI matches at an average of 30.89.
He delivered 14,496 balls in his ODI career and conceived 10,412 runs at an economy of 4.30. His ODI Career also marked 2 five wicket hauls with best bowling figures of 6/12. He the highest Wicket Taker Indian in ODIs.
Above all, Anil Kumble deserves a spot on our list of Most ODI wickets in cricket.
Conclusion
So, here is our list. Who do you think should make it on our list in future. Let us know in the comment box.