Most Wickets in ODI Cricket History – Who is the Most Successful Bowler of All Time?

Bowling in ODI cricket is quite difficult, because the current rules of ICC look more in favor of the batters. Keeping this in view, bowlers who perform well in ODI cricket should always be lauded. Their ability to contain runs in the most suitable batting conditions are extraordinary, hence they deserve full appreciation.

Looking back at history, bowlers who have taken the most wickets in ODI cricket are considered legends. They are highly regarded in world cricket not just because of their wicket tallies, but because they have shown remarkable consistency in the format over a long period of time. This is why players like Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, and others are respected all over the world.

Comparing these legends with the modern day ODI bowlers, we won’t be able to find any perfect match for them. This tells a lot about the caliber of those players who took the most wickets in ODI history. If you do not know much about those players, read this blog in detail to get all the insights. It will let you know about their major ODI records, so that you can understand why they are considered legends of the game.

Muthiah Muralidaran

The name of Muthiah Muralidaran always gets highlighted whenever we talk about the greatest bowlers of all time. Just like test cricket, Muthiah Muralidaran dominated the ODI format as well. He took 534 wickets in 350 matches, making himself the undisputed king of ODI cricket. These are quite remarkable numbers that showcase the prowess of Muralidaran with the white ball. He was a legendary spinner who had different bowling options in his armory, making him a fierce striker for Sri Lanka in ODI format.  

Stat	Value
Matches	350
Innings bowled	341
Wickets	534
Bowling average	23.08
Economy rate	3.93 runs per over
Strike rate	35.23 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	7/30
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	10 times
Wickets in World Cups	68
Most wickets in a single World Cup	23 in 2003
Years active in ODIs	1993–2011

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram is a legendary fast bowler who made his name not just in ODIs, but tests as well. Due to that, he is considered one of the top fast bowlers in the world who inspired generations through his bowling. He took 502 wickets in the ODI format by playing just 356 matches. This is a staggering record that makes him the only Pakistani bowler to claim 500+ wickets in ODI cricket. It is undoubtedly a great achievement that showcases why Wasim Akram was a rare talent in world cricket.

Stat	Value
Matches	356
Innings bowled	350
Wickets	502
Bowling average	23.52
Economy rate	3.89 runs per over
Strike rate	36.2 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	5/15
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	6 times
Wickets in World Cups	55
Most wickets in a single World Cup	17 in 1992
Years active in ODIs	1984–2003

Waqar Younis

Waqar Younis was another bowling maestro who ruled ODI cricket for a long period of time. His combination with Wasim Akram was lethal, as the duo were seen as the backbone of Pakistan pace attack. Talking about the wickets tally, Waqar Younis took 416 wickets in just 262 matches, making him a highly successful fast bowler in ODI format. He is one of those bowlers who is still admired by many youngsters, as his inswinging yorkers are a perfect example of bowling mastery.

Stat	Value
Matches	262
Innings bowled	258
Wickets	416
Bowling average	23.84
Economy rate	4.68 runs per over
Strike rate	30.52 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	7/36
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	13 times
Wickets in World Cups	55
Most wickets in a single World Cup	22 in 1996
Years active in ODIs	1989–2003

Chaminda Vaas

Chaminda Vaas was an exceptional Sri Lankan bowler who impressed everyone with his strong bowling performances. He was a specialist of ODIs in which he picked 400 wickets by playing just 322 matches. Being a left arm fast bowler, he was often compared with Wasim Akram who also played in the same era in which Vaas represented Sri Lanka. His ability to move the new ball was admired by many greats, which is why he was considered a great threat for the opening batters.

Stat	Value
Matches	322
Innings bowled	320
Wickets	400
Bowling average	27.53
Economy rate	4.18 runs per over
Strike rate	39.4 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	8/19
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	4 times
Wickets in World Cups	55
Most wickets in a single World Cup	23 in 2003
Years active in ODIs	1994–2011

Shahid Afridi

Many people recognize Shahid Afridi due to his belligerent batting skills. However, his brilliance with the ball was even greater as compared to the batting. The Pakistan superstar cricketer managed to pick up 395 ODI wickets during his illustrious cricket career. He was an all-round player who offered impact to the Pakistan team by performing in all departments. That is why he is still considered a special player whose legacy in Pakistan cricket is unmatchable.

Stat	Value
Matches	398
Innings bowled	372
Wickets	395
Bowling average	34.51
Economy rate	4.62 runs per over
Strike rate	44.7 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	7/12
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	9 times
Wickets in World Cups	102
Most wickets in a single World Cup	21 in 2011
Years active in ODIs	1996–2015

Shaun Pollock

Hailing from South Africa, Shaun Pollock was a special bowler who gave many memorable performances in ODI cricket. He was a skillful pacer who had complete command on both old and new ball. This is why his services for the Proteas were very vital, as he had the abilities to take quick wickets at any stage of the game. In his 303 international appearances in ODIs, Shaun Pollock took 393 wickets at an average of 24.50 runs. These are quite exceptional numbers that makes him one of the best bowlers South Africa has ever produced.

Stat	Value
Matches	303
Innings bowled	297
Wickets	393
Bowling average	24.50
Economy rate	3.67 runs per over
Strike rate	39.9 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	6/35
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	5 times
Wickets in World Cups	68
Most wickets in a single World Cup	23 in 1999
Years active in ODIs	1994–2004

Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath was one of those bowlers who served Australia in both tests and ODIs for a long period of time. His skills to manage red and white balls smartly were impeccable, which is why he became successful in both formats. Talking about ODIs, Glenn McGrath picked 381 wickets in just 250 matches. His performances for Australia during ICC events were exceptional, as he always led the attack of the Aussies right from the front.

Stat	Value
Matches	250
Innings bowled	248
Wickets	381
Bowling average	22.02
Economy rate	3.88 runs per over
Strike rate	34.0 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	7/15
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	7 times
Wickets in World Cups	71
Most wickets in a single World Cup	26 in 2007
Years active in ODIs	1993–2007

Brett Lee

The second fastest bowler in the world, Brett Lee, was highly successful in ODI cricket. His ability to move the ball both ways was exceptional, making him a real asset for Australia. He took 380 wickets in 221 matches at an average of 23.36 runs. Besides outswing, Brett Lee was a master of reverse swing, which made him a highly potent pacer at the back end of the innings. This is the reason why Australia always relied on him in the death overs, as he had the capability to destroy batting lineups quickly in the end.

Here are the ODI bowling career statistics for Brett Lee in the preferred table format:

Stat	Value
Matches	221
Innings bowled	217
Wickets	380
Bowling average	23.36
Economy rate	4.76 runs per over
Strike rate	29.4 balls per wicket
Best bowling in an inning (BBI)	5/22
Five‑wicket hauls (5‑for)	9 times
Most wickets in a single World Cup	22 in 2003
Years active in ODIs	1999–2012

Final Words

Players with the most wickets in ODI cricket have showcased phenomenal consistency in their overall careers. They always maintained their fitness to stay competitive in the field, giving their respective teams an edge to counter the oppositions. From Wasim Akram to Brett Lee, the bowlers who ruled ODI cricket were exceptionally talented.

Due to their great performances, many of them are considered legends of the game. They took most wickets in ODI history by mastering bowling with both new and old balls. This is indeed a special skill that is hard to learn, which is why we rarely see bowlers of their class in today’s era.