ODI cricket has been a challenging format for so many years. The limited-overs format has witnessed the arrival of some of the best bowling performers, who have gone on to produce some brilliant bowling performances. This piece discusses the ten best bowling figures (performances) in ODI cricket.
These bowlers had different skill sets, but they could change the outcome of a game with their skilful bowling. These bowlers were match winners on their day as they could destroy any batting line-up. Let us have a look at the 10 best bowling performances in ODI cricket.
Best Bowling Figures in ODI History
| Player | BBI | Overs | Econ | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaminda Vaas (SL) | 8/19 | 8.0 | 2.37 | v Zimbabwe | Colombo (SSC) | 8 Dec 2001 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 7/12 | 9.0 | 1.33 | v West Indies | Providence | 14 Jul 2013 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 7/15 | 7.0 | 2.14 | v Namibia | Potchefstroom | 27 Feb 2003 |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 7/18 | 8.4 | 2.07 | v West Indies | Gros Islet | 9 Jun 2017 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) | 7/19 | 5.5 | 3.25 | v Zimbabwe | Colombo (RPS) | 11 Jan 2024 |
| AJ Bichel (AUS) | 7/20 | 10.0 | 2.0 | v England | Gqeberha | 2 Mar 2003 |
| C Cassell (SCOT) | 7/21 | 5.4 | 3.7 | v Oman | Dundee | 22 Jul 2024 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 7/30 | 10.0 | 3.0 | v India | Sharjah | 27 Oct 2000 |
| Ali Khan (USA) | 7/32 | 9.4 | 3.31 | v Jersey | Windhoek | 4 Apr 2023 |
| Tim Southee (NZ) | 7/33 | 9.0 | 3.66 | v England | Wellington | 20 Feb 2015 |
| Trent Boult (NZ) | 7/34 | 10.0 | 3.4 | v West Indies | Christchurch | 23 Dec 2017 |
| Waqar Younis (PAK) | 7/36 | 10.0 | 3.6 | v England | Leeds | 17 Jun 2001 |
| Aaqib Javed (PAK) | 7/37 | 10.0 | 3.7 | v India | Sharjah | 25 Oct 1991 |
| Imran Tahir (SA) | 7/45 | 9.0 | 5.0 | v West Indies | Basseterre | 15 Jun 2016 |
| WW Davis (WI) | 7/51 | 10.3 | 4.85 | v Australia | Leeds | 11 Jun 1983 |
Key Stats
“Boom Boom” Afridi, as he was nicknamed for his destructive batting, was also a handy leg spinner. Afridi used a lot of faster ones and googlies to keep the West Indies batters in check. As the tweet below explains, this is the best bowling figure for a Pakistani cricketer. Also the best bowling figure for a cricketer away from home.
Chaminda Vaas, the left-arm Sri Lankan medium pacer had the ability to uproot any batting line-up with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Vaas showcased accuracy with his line, and the Zimbabwean batters found it difficult to handle his incoming seaming deliveries. He had this knack for picking crucial wickets, which made him a complete match-winner on his day. This is the only 8-wicket haul in the history of One-day Internaionals.
Along with the 7-fors mentioned in the list above, there have been a total of 15 instances of 7-wicket hauls in the ODIs till date.
Glenn McGrath’s 7/15 against Namibia in 2003 ODI World Cup is the best bowling figures in a World Cup match.
