The first ODI in cricket history was played about 54 years ago today. On 5 January 1971, Australia and England teams faced each other at Melbourne Cricket Ground. This was the first match in ODI cricket history. In these approximately 54 years, many big records were made. But do you know about the top 5 bowlers who took the most wickets in ODI history. Here in this article, we will tell you about the top 5 most successful bowlers in ODI cricket history, but you will be surprised to know that no Indian bowler is included in this list.
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Top 5 Bowlers with Most Wickets in ODIs
1) Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan tops the list of bowlers who took the most wickets in ODI cricket. He has 534 wickets in 350 ODI matches. At the same time, he also has the best bowling figure in the ODI format is 7 wickets for 30 runs. He played for Sri Lanka from 1993 to 2011.
2) Wasim Akram
Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram is at second place in the list. Wasim Akram has 502 wickets in 356 ODIs. Wasim Akram played for Pakistan from 1984 to 2003. Wasim Akram’s best bowling figure in this format is 5 wickets for 15 runs.
3) Waqar Younis
After Muttiah Muralitharan and Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis is at third place. This legendary fast bowler has 416 wickets in 262 ODIs. Waqar Younis made his ODI debut in 1989. While he last played for Pakistan in the year 2003.
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4) Chaminda Vaas
In this list, former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas is at fourth place. Chaminda Vaas has 400 wickets in 322 ODIs. Chaminda Vaas’s best bowling figure in ODI format is 8 wickets for 19 runs. Chaminda Vaas played in ODI format from 1993 to 2008.
5) Shahid Afridi
Pakistan’s all-rounder Shahid Afridi is at number five in the list of bowlers taking the most wickets. Shahid Afridi has 395 wickets in 398 ODI matches. Shahid Afridi’s best bowling figure is 7 wickets for 12 runs. Shahid Afridi played for Pakistan in ODI format from 1996 to 2015.