Cricket is a sport where bowlers often make the difference between victory and defeat. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), bowlers have only a few chances to make an impact. The Wicket-Takers in ODI cricket history have become famous by regularly taking important wickets and winning matches. They have achieved this by being consistent and effective every time they bowl. Their performances have helped them stand out and become legends in the game.These bowlers have dominated the game with their exceptional skills.
Here are the Top 5 Wicket-Takers in ODI Cricket History:
5. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was famous for his powerful batting and was also a skilled leg-spinner. He took 395 wickets in 398 matches. His best bowling performance was 7 wickets for just 12 runs. Afridi had an economy rate of 4.62, meaning he was effective at taking key wickets during the middle of the game , which made him one of the top Top 5 Wicket-Takers in ODI Cricket History . Afridi’s bowling average is 34.51, which isn’t the greatest, but he had a big impact. He often played a key role in winning matches for Pakistan.
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4. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas was the linchpin of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, taking 400 wickets in 322 matches. Vaas had a bowling average of 27.53, which means he took about 27.53 runs to get each batsman out. His best performance was taking 8 wickets for 19 runs in a single match. He was known for keeping the runs low, with an economy rate of 4.18, meaning he gave away just over 4 runs per over. Vaas could swing the ball well and consistently put pressure on the batsmen. This made him one of the most dependable and one of the top Wicket-Takers in ODI Cricket History bowlers during his career.
3. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis, known for his blistering pace and masterful reverse swing, took 416 wickets in 262 matches at an average of 23.84. His best bowling figures of 7/36 underline his ability to dismantle batting line-ups. Younis, alongside Akram, formed one of the most feared bowling duos in cricket, with an economy rate of 4.68.
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2. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram is considered one of the best fast bowlers in cricket history. He has taken 502 wickets in 356 matches. His average of 23.52 shows how well he performed. Akram’s economy rate is 3.89, which reflects his ability to limit runs. His best bowling performance was 5 wickets for 15 runs.. His lethal swing bowling played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s cricketing dominance in the 1990s
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is a famous cricketer from Sri Lanka. He is known for his amazing skill as an off-spinner. He has taken more wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) than anyone else. In fact, he holds the record for the most ODI wickets. He has taken a total of 534 wickets in this format of the game. He achieved this in 350 matches at a remarkable average of 23.08, with his best bowling figures being 7/30. Muralitharan’s economy rate of 3.93 showcases his ability to control the game, making him a constant threat to batsmen over his 18-year career
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