Top 10 best bowling figures in ODI cricket

Only one bowler in history has taken an eight-wicket haul in ODI Cricket.

Limited overs cricket is a batter-dominated game and doesn’t have much for the bowlers. Over the years, white-ball cricket has seen many changes and most of them have been in favour of the batters. Despite that, bowlers have found a way to make an impact with the ball.

ODI cricket has seen some incredible spells bowled by bowlers. Notably, 15 times a bowler has taken a seven-wicket haul in ODI cricket and only one bowler has registered an eight-wicket haul, which is the rarest in 50-over cricket. Here, we will talk about the top 10 best bowling figures in ODI cricket.

Here are the Top 10 best bowling figures in ODI cricket

10. Trent Boult – 7/34 Vs West Indies

Trent Boult is one of the best pacers in the modern era. He registered his career-best figures of 7/34 against West Indies in December 2017 at Christchurch. It was the second ODI of the series and New Zealand posted a big total of 325/6.

In reply, Boult broke the back of the West Indies. They were bowled out for just 121 and New Zealand won the game by 204 runs. Boult bowled 10 overs, which included three maidens and ended with the bowling figures of 7/34.

9. Tim Southee – 7/33 Vs England

New Zealand reached the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and Tim Southee was one of the reasons behind that. He had the best bowling figures of that tournament, which came against England in Wellington.

Batting first, England were all out for 123 runs in 33.2 overs and Southee ended with bowling figures of 7/33 in his nine overs. In reply, New Zealand made 125/2 in just 12.2 overs and won by eight wickets.

8. Ali Khan – 7/32 Vs Jersey

USA pacer Ali Khan has the best bowling figures in ODI cricket by an associate player. They came in an ODI game against Jersey during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, when he took 7/32 in 9.4 overs to help his team win. The USA made 231 runs and bundled out Jersey for 206 runs to win the game.

7. Muttiah Muralitharan – 7/30 Vs India

Muttiah Muralitharan retired with the most wickets in international cricket and bowled a number of incredible spells throughout his career. His best spell in ODI cricket came against India at Sharjah in October 2000 during the Coca-Cola Championship.

Sri Lanka made 294/5 in the first innings and dismissed India for 226, courtesy of Murali’s 7/30 in his quota of 10 overs.

6. Andy Bichel – 7/20 Vs England

Australia were undefeated throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in the West Indies because they had a number of match-winners in their team who could single-handedly take the game away from the opposition. in both departments. One of them was Andy Bichel, who registered his best ODI bowling figures against England in that tournament.

Batting first, England made 204/8 and Bichel took 7/20 in his spell of 10 overs. Australia chased down the target in the final over and ended with a score of 208/8. Bichel was great with the bat as well as he made an unbeaten 34 off 36 to take the team over the line.

5. Wanindu Hasaranga – 7/19 Vs Zimbabwe

The best bowling figures in recent times in ODI cricket came during a game between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in Colombo. It was a rain-affected game and Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 96 runs in 22.5 overs.

It was the comeback game for Wanindu Hasaranga and he registered a magical spell of 7/19 in just 5.5 overs. Sri Lanka made 97/2 and won the game easily.

4. Rashid Khan – 7/18 Vs West Indies

Rashid Khan is one of the best white-ball spinners at the moment. His best ODI bowling figures came against West Indies at Gros Islet in June 2017. It was the first ODI of the series and Afghanistan managed to score 212/6 in the first innings.

In reply, West Indies only managed to score 149 and were bowled out. Rashid picked up a seven-wicket haul and ended with figures of 7/18 in his 8.4 overs.

3. Glenn McGrath – 7/15 Vs Namibia

The best bowling figures in an ODI World Cup game were registered by Glenn McGrath. They came during the 2003 edition against Namibia. Australia posted a big total of 301/6 in the first innings and Namibia couldn’t resist the good line and length of McGrath.

He took 7/15 in his seven overs and Namibia were dismissed for just 45 runs as Australia went on to win the game by 256 runs.

2. Shahid Afridi – 7/12 Vs West Indies

Shahid Afridi is best remembered for his batting style and ability to hit big sixes. He was also a brilliant spinner. He recorded the second-best ODI bowling figures in history. They came against West Indies in Providence in July 2013.

It was the first ODI of the series and Pakistan made 224/9. In the second innings, Afridi took 7/12 to dismantle the hosts and they were dismissed for just 98 runs. Afridi also scored 76 off 55 with the bat in the same match and it was one of the best all-round performances in history.

1. Chaminda Vaas – 8/19 Vs Zimbabwe

The only bowler to take an eight-wicket haul in ODIs is Chaminda Vaas. He did it against Zimbabwe in December 2001 in Colombo. It was the first game of the series and Zimbabwe had a horrible batting performance as they were all out for just 38 runs in 15.4 overs.

Vaas took 8/19 in his eight overs, including three maidens and registered his name in the record books. Sri Lanka made 40/1 in 4.2 overs and won the game.

(All stats updated till 13th January, 2024)

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