Highest Wicket Takers in ODI Cricket: All-Time Records
Muttiah Muralitharan leads the all-time ODI wicket-takers list with over 500 wickets. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Chaminda Vaas are among the other bowlers in the top bracket.
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka is the all-time leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with more than 500 wickets across a career spanning over two decades. He is closely followed by Wasim Akram, making the top of the list notable for featuring both a spinner and a pace bowler.
All-time highest wicket takers in ODIs
| Bowler | Country | Career span | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 1993–2011 | Off-spin/doosra, unparalleled turn and variation |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 1984–2003 | Left-arm pace, reverse swing pioneer |
| Waqar Younis | Pakistan | 1989–2003 | Toe-crushing yorkers, reverse swing |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | 1994–2008 | Left-arm seam, consistent throughout |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 1996–2015 | Leg-spin, high wicket rate across huge spell |
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | 2004–2019 | Round-arm slinger, lethal yorkers at death |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 1993–2007 | Line-and-length mastery, low economy |
| Brett Lee | Australia | 2000–2012 | Pace and aggression |
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 1996–2008 | Accuracy, movement both ways |
Figures shift as active players add matches. Verify current tallies on ESPNcricinfo or the ICC site.
Muralitharan’s dominance
Murali took his ODI wickets with a combination of his standard off-break and the doosra — a delivery that turns the opposite way. He was equally effective in home (Colombo) and neutral conditions, and his wicket-taking rate was consistently higher than most bowlers of any type. His economy rate was also controlled, making him unusually effective across the full 50 overs.
Wasim Akram — the fast-bowling benchmark
Akram’s position near the top of the ODI wickets list is remarkable for a left-arm seamer. His late-swing, reverse-swing, and ability to bowl incisive new-ball spells as well as accurate death overs make him the standard against which ODI pace bowling is often measured.
What separates high wicket-takers
Sustained success in ODIs requires:
- Longevity — playing 200+ matches across a decade or more
- Wicket-taking ability — not just containing runs
- Adaptability — performing in flat conditions, different countries, and different eras
- Fitness — ODI careers can stretch 15+ years for the most durable bowlers
Active bowlers and the record
For active players, reaching the top ten requires sustained international selection across many years. The record itself (Murali’s total) is unlikely to be threatened soon, given that modern playing schedules spread wickets across formats and the overall pace of ODI cricket has accelerated, making high economy rates harder to avoid.
Quick summary: Muttiah Muralitharan holds the ODI wickets record, followed closely by Wasim Akram. The top of this list rewards longevity, adaptability, and the ability to take wickets rather than merely contain — which is why both a spinner and a seamer sit at its peak.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the most wickets in ODI cricket?+
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) holds the record for most ODI wickets, with over 500 dismissals across his career.
Who is the highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket among fast bowlers?+
Wasim Akram (Pakistan) is widely regarded as the leading fast bowler on the all-time ODI wickets list, with over 500 wickets at a strong average and economy rate.
Which current bowlers are climbing the ODI wickets record?+
Lasith Malinga (retired), Shakib Al Hasan, and among current active bowlers, players like Jasprit Bumrah are accumulating wickets — but the all-time record remains distant.