Highest wicket taker in ODI: One Day Internationals have been a thrilling format of cricket since its inception in 1971. Over the years, numerous fast and spin bowler have showcased their skills and made a lot of records in ODI Formats. And In this article, we will talk about the top 10 Highest wicket taker in ODI.
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Highest wicket taker in ODI
The table below presents the top 10 bowler who have taken the most wickets in One Day Internationals, along with their respective playing nations, Economy Rate and total wickets.
| Bowler | Team | Match | Inn. | Runs | Wickets | Econ. | Year Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan |  Sri Lanka | 350 | 341 | 12,326 | 534 | 3.93 | 1993–2011 |
| Wasim Akram |  Pakistan | 356 | 351 | 11,812 | 502 | 3.89 | 1984–2003 |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 262 | 258 | 9,919 | 416 | 4.68 | 1989–2003 |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 322 | 320 | 11,014 | 400 | 4.18 | 1994–2008 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 372 | 13,632 | 395 | 4.62 | 1996–2015 |
| Shaun Pollock |  South Africa | 303 | 297 | 9,631 | 393 | 3.67 | 1996–2008 |
| Glenn McGrath |  Australia | 250 | 248 | 8,391 | 381 | 3.88 | 1993–2007 |
| Brett Lee | Australia | 221 | 217 | 8,877 | 380 | 4.76 | 2000–2012 |
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 226 | 220 | 9,760 | 338 | 5.35 | 2004–2019 |
| Anil Kumble |  India | 271 | 265 | 10,412 | 337 | 4.30 | 1990–2007 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 368 | 11,871 | 323 | 4.78 | 1989–2011 |
| Javagal Srinath | India | 229 | 227 | 8,847 | 315 | 4.44 | 1991–2003 |
| Daniel Vettori |  New Zealand | 295 | 277 | 9,674 | 305 | 4.12 | 1997–2015 |
| Shakib Al Hasan* |  Bangladesh | 227 | 224 | 8,688 | 300 | 4.45 | 2006–Present |
Top 5 Most wicket taker in ODI
Here is the list of bowler who has taken the most wickets in One Day International Cricket History so far. And In this list, Sri Lankan former spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is at the number one position with 534 wickets in 350 ODI Matches, While Former Pakistani Left-arm fast bowler “Wasim Akram” occupies the second spot on the list with 502 wickets in 356 matches.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan, hailing from Sri Lanka, stands at the pinnacle of the highest wicket takers in ODI cricket with an astounding 534 wickets in 350 matches. His remarkable average of 23.08, coupled with an impressive economy rate of 3.93, highlights his exceptional control and ability to deceive batsmen. Muralitharan’s best bowling figures of 7/30 underline his match-winning performances.
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram, the Pakistani pacer, occupies the second spot on the list with 502 wickets in 356 matches. His left-arm pace and swing made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide. Akram’s average of 23.52 and economy rate of 3.89 reflect his consistency and ability to provide breakthroughs at crucial junctures. His career-best figures of 5/15 showcase his ability to dismantle opposition line-ups.
Waqar Younis
Another Pakistani legend, Waqar Younis, stands at third position with 416 wickets in 262 matches. Known for his blistering pace and lethal reverse swing, Waqar terrorized batsmen during his prime. With an average of 23.84 and an economy rate of 4.68, he posed a constant threat to even the most accomplished batsmen. Waqar’s best figures of 7/36 underscore his ability to dismantle batting line-ups with ease.
Chaminda Vaas
Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas holds the fourth position on the list with 400 wickets in 322 matches. Vaas’s disciplined line and length, along with his ability to generate movement, made him a formidable force. His average of 27.53 and economy rate of 4.18 demonstrate his ability to restrict scoring and take wickets simultaneously. Vaas’s remarkable spell of 8/19 remains one of the best bowling performances in ODI history.
Shahid Afridi
Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, renowned for his explosive batting, proved his mettle as a wicket-taking bowler too. Afridi claimed 395 wickets in 398 matches, with his leg-spin and fastish deliveries bamboozling batsmen. Although he had a relatively higher average of 34.51, Afridi’s ability to break partnerships and deliver crucial breakthroughs made him a vital asset to the Pakistani team. His astonishing figures of 7/12 showcase his match-winning capabilities.
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