Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in ODI – Updated 2025

Cricket is not just about big shots and high scores; it’s also about those fiery spells when bowlers take full control of the game. In ODIs, some performances have been so brilliant that they have completely changed the match within a few overs. The sound of the ball hitting the stumps, the loud cheer from the crowd, and the bowler’s confidence go sky high.

These moments show the real thrill of ODI cricket. When the ball starts swinging and the batters start guessing, you know something special is happening. Over the years, fans have witnessed unforgettable spells where bowlers dominated every delivery and made history with their figures. Let’s relive those incredible moments and celebrate the best bowling figures in ODI cricket, the ones that proved a bowler’s spell can be just as unforgettable as a century.

List of Players with Best Bowling Figures in ODI (Updated)

Here’s the updated list of players with the best bowling figures in ODI history. These powerful bowling performances showcase some of the sheer dominance moments from the bowler in a sport that tends to favour the batters more often. Each of these spells is proof that when the bowlers start bowling into a rhythm, then the batters have no answers to their questions.

Who has the Best Bowling Figures in ODI?

The record for the best bowling figures in ODI international history belongs to Chaminda Vaas, who took 8 wickets for just 19 runs against Zimbabwe in 2001. His spell was so special that no one till now has come close to equaling his record, which shows the level of his swing, accuracy, and control. Vaas's spell is just a reminder that even in ODIs, bowlers can completely dominate the game single-handedly.

10. Tim Southee | New Zealand

The former Kiwi captain had been an exceptional new-ball bowler in the ODI and Test formats. He would go on to become one of the world’s top new-ball partnerships with Trent Boult. Southee was exceptional in the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups for the Black Caps and helped them reach the finals for two consecutive editions of the ODI World Cup. He was also a crucial member of New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship, which won the silverware.

His best bowling performance in an ODI came in the 2015 World Cup against England. Tim Southee dismantled the English batting lineup by picking up 7 for 33 in his 9 overs. This helped the Kiwis to bundle out for just 123 runs. New Zealand won the match easily by eight wickets, and Southee was named the man of the match for his superb display of bowling.

9. Ali Khan | USA

The player who made his name despite coming from a nation that is not so developed in cricket, yet he proved that if you have the will to do anything, you can achieve great heights with determination: Ali Khan, a name that is so popular in franchise cricket. The Pakistan-born speedster moved to the USA. He featured in various private T20 cricket tournaments around the USA. Right-arm pacer Ali Khan made his debut for the USA side in 2016 and the ICC WCL Division Four in Los Angeles.

The best bowling figure of this speedster in an ODI came way back in 2023 against Jersey. He picked up 7 for 32 runs, and his sensational bowling display helped his side to win the match, marking a significant achievement for USA cricket on the international stage.

8. Muttiah Muralidaran | Sri Lanka

The player with the most wickets in the history of cricket, Muttiah Muralidaran, also has one of the best bowling figure in ODI history. He has picked up 800 wickets in the longest format of the game. He played for 18 years for the side and won the World Cup in 1996 for the side as well. Murali's lethal doosra in limited-overs cricket made him so dangerous.

He has featured in 350 ODIs for the Lankan Lions and picked up 534 wickets in the format. Murali’s best bowling spell in ODI cricket came against India. He picked up 7 wickets, giving out just 30 runs. Thus, for his exceptional bowling figures, he was adjudged the player of the match.

7. Charlie Cassell | Scotland

Charlie Cassell is arguably Scotland’s best fast bowler of this era. He made his debut back in 2024 and had the best bowling figures in the debut match of his ODI career. The bowler picked up 7/21 in his first game, which is also the 7th-best bowling figure in ODI cricket. His exceptional bowling display helped the Scottish national team bowl Oman out for just 91 runs and chase down the total with 8 wickets in hand.

6. Andy Bichel | Australia

Andy Bichel was a bowling all-rounder for Australia, who would eventually disappear after 2003-2004. It was shocking for a performer like him to retire from the international circuit. Known for his excellent seam bowling, he was one of the stars for Australia in the 2003 ODI World Cup. Bichel was a lower-order batter with hard-hitting skills.

Bichel’s bowling spell against England in the ICC World Cup 2003 group stage match is still one of the finest in the ICC major tournament. He rattled the English batting lineup with his fiery spell of 7/20 and also went 34* in the game to win the match for the side. Thus was adjudged as the player for the match for his exceptional bowling and decent batting in the match.

5. Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka

One of the finest leg-spinners of this era, Wanindu Hasaranga, has been in the news in recent times. The Sri Lankan made history when he took the first-ever hat-trick for Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup. He was also the first Sri Lankan to take a hat-trick on an ODI debut. Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has also been a brilliant lower-order batter for the side and plays aggressive shots.

Hasranga captained the T20I side in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but he soon stepped down after the major tournament. However, in ODI, he still has the best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan spinner and the second-best as a Sri Lankan bowler in the 50-over format of the game. He picked up 7/19 in just 5.5 overs against Zimbabwe in 2024.

4. Rashid Khan | Afghanistan

The player who made his country famous with his skills and talent, his passion for this game made him one of the most lovable and famous Afghanistan players of all time, Rashid Khan. The wrist spinner has a huge fan following across the world. He has been an icon in limited-overs cricket for the Afghan side and franchise teams. This talented spinner has also been a solid striker of the ball in the lower order for the side.

He has the best bowling figures in an ODI by an Afghan bowler. Rashid Khan has a figure of 7/18 in his 8.4 overs against the West Indies back in 2017. He left the Windies batters clueless with his spin bowling and successfully defended a low score of 213 runs. No doubt, he is one of the best bowlers in the world who has left his mark with exceptional bowling.

3. Glenn McGrath | Australia

The player who ruled the world that too, with a low pace, just with his disciplined line and length, Glenn McGrath is arguably one of the best Australian fast bowlers in the history of Australian cricket. He was known for his accurate line and length, and was a match-winner for Australia in the ODI and Test formats of the game. This bowling legend helped Australia win three World Cups, bowling superbly in the final of each of the competitions. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup history with 71 wickets to his name.

The Best bowling figures of this legend came against Namibia in the ODI World Cup 2003. He picked up 7/15 for the Kangaroos, bowling Namibia out for just 45 runs and winning the game by a margin of 256 runs. He was the man of the match for his bowling excellence.

2. Shahid Afridi | Pakistan

The all-rounder who has been known for his world record of the fastest century is also among the bowlers with the best bowling figures in ODI international match is none other than Shahid Afridi. The former Pakistan skipper was known for his explosive finishing ability and huge hits. Afridi tops the list for most sixes in ODI cricket by any batter in world cricket. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup, which proves his great bowling skills.

Afridi has numerous batting records as well as some bowling records in ODIs to his name. He has shown his prowess with the ball against the West Indies, where he picked up 7/12, which are the best bowling figures in an ODI by a Pakistan bowler. It is also the second-best bowling figure in ODI history.

1. Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka

The most penetrative and successful new-ball bowler from the land of Sri Lankan soil, Chaminda Vaas. This Sri Lankan pacer took a hat-trick off the first three deliveries against Bangladesh, that too on the biggest stage of the 2003 World Cup.

This Sri Lankan legend is the record holder of best bowling figures in ODI match. He achieved this record by picking up 8/19 in the game against Zimbabwe, not to forget his hat-trick in this spell. His bowling dismantled the Zimbabwe batting lineup, and they could not go past 50 runs in the 50-over format. They were bowled out for just 38 runs. This is the best economical bowling figures in ODI to date.