One Day Internationals (ODIs) have seen some remarkable individual moments, from amazing centuries to match-winning spells. Among the most impactful of these are historic bowling performances, when a single bowler turns the tide of the match. This article is about the best bowling figures in ODI cricket, featuring record-breaking wicket hauls, top 10 bowling performances, and the legendary bowlers behind them.
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Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket History
When it comes to ODI best bowling records, only a handful of bowlers have managed to capture six or more wickets in a single innings. Here are the all-time greats who delivered the most remarkable bowling figures in ODI cricket:
| Rank | Bowler | Figures | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 1 | Chaminda Vaas | 8/19 | Zimbabwe | Colombo (SSC) | 2001 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | 7/12 | West Indies | Providence | 2013 |
| 3 | Glenn McGrath | 7/15 | Namibia | Potchefstroom | 2003 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | 7/18 | West Indies | Gros Islet | 2017 |
| 5 | Andy Bichel | 7/20 | England | Port Elizabeth | 2003 |
| 6 | Muttiah Muralitharan | 7/30 | India | Sharjah | 2000 |
| 7 | Trent Boult | 7/34 | West Indies | Christchurch | 2023 |
| 8 | Aaqib Javed | 7/37 | India | Sharjah | 1991 |
| 9 | Tim Southee | 7/33 | England | Wellington | 2015 |
| 10 | Ali Khan | 6/12 | Jersey | Windhoek | 2023 |
Record-Breaking ODI Bowling Spells You Shouldn’t Miss
Chaminda Vaas: 8/19 vs Zimbabwe (2001)
The Sri Lankan fast bowler made history taking the best figures in ODI, a phenomenal 8 wickets for 19 runs. With swing and precision, Vaas ravaged Zimbabwe’s batting order in Colombo, setting the record for most wickets ever taken in an individual ODI match.
Shahid Afridi: 7/12 vs West Indies (2013)
Famed for his explosive batting, Shahid Afridi surprised everyone by taking his best bowling performance in ODIs, 7 wickets for 12 runs. This remains one of the quickest and most vicious performances in recent ODI cricket.
Glenn McGrath: 7/15 vs Namibia (2003 World Cup)
McGrath delivered one of the most impressive bowling performances in ICC World Cup ODI history in the 2003 World Cup, knocking over Namibia for the second-best figures in World Cup history.
Most 5-Wicket Hauls & ODI Bowling Legends
These are fantastic performances to remember and talk about, but what signifies greatness is consistent performance. The following is a list of bowlers who have turned in a five-wicket haul on more than one occasion in ODIs:
- Waqar Younis: 13 five-wicket hauls
- Muttiah Muralitharan: 10
- Brett Lee: 9
- Shahid Afridi: 9 Glenn McGrath: 7
All these bowlers from ODI cricket were examples of long-term excellence, taking many wickets over many different matches, in different formats and in different parts of the world.
Interesting Facts About ODI Best Bowling Figures
- Most wickets in a single ODI match: 8 by Chaminda Vaas.
- Youngest player to take 7 wickets in an ODI: Rashid Khan at 18 years.
- Best bowling figures in a World Cup knockout match: Tim Southee (7/33) – 2015
- Only hat-trick in top 10 ODI bowling performances: Chaminda Vaas in his 8/19 match.
These records show pure bowling ability and how ODIs have developed pace and spin.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best ODI Bowling Performances
- Who has the best bowling figures in ODI?
- Currently, Chaminda Vaas with 8/19, against Zimbabwe in 2001.
- Who took the most wickets in a single ODI?
- Once again, Chaminda Vaas, took 8 wickets, the most in a single ODI.
- Who has the best bowling figures in an ODI World Cup?
- Glenn Mcgrath: 7/15 against Namibia in the 2003 World Cup.
- What ODI spinner had the best bowling figures?
- Shahid Afridi: 7/12 against West Indies in 2013.
Conclusion: Why Bowling Records Still Matter in Modern ODIs?
In a format dominated regularly by the batters, the greatest ODI bowling performances still show that bowlers can be match winners. With a hostile pace attack, or even the dazzling spin of Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan, iconic spells that make the history books will always be inspiring cricketers for generations to come.
From Chaminda Vaas’ record 8 wickets to Afridi’s improbable magic with the ball, the best bowling performances in ODI cricket are just as exciting and had a similar rhythmic impact of an astonishing century.
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