Cricket is often considered a batsman's game. There are very few occasions in cricket when the bowlers have the upper hand, as short boundaries and large bats make the task easier for the batsmen. Despite this, many fast bowlers in today's time and in the past have made their mark through lethal weapons like swing, pace, and bounce. In this article, today we are telling about the top 10 fastest bowlers in the history of cricket.
| Menu | Bowler | Fastest Delivery | Team | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) | Pakistan | England | 2003 |
| 2 | Brett Lee | 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph) | Australia | England | 2005 |
| 3 | Shaun Tait | 161.1 km/h (100.14 mph) | Australia | England | 2010 |
| 4 | Jeff Thomson | 160.6 km/h (99.91 mph) | Australia | West Indies | 1975 |
| 5 | Mitchell Starc | 160.4 km/h (99.79 mph) | Australia | New Zealand | 2015 |
| 6 | Andy Roberts | 159.5 km/h (99.12 mph) | West Indies | Australia | 1975 |
| 7 | Fidel Edwards | 157.7 km/h (97.99 mph) | West Indies | South Africa | 2003 |
| 8 | Umran Malik | 157 km/h (97.5 mph) | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Delhi Capitals | 2022 |
| 9 | Mitchell Johnson | 156.8 km/h (97.44 mph) | Australia | England | 2013 |
| 10 | Mohammad Sami | 156.4 km/h (97.19 mph) | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
Image Source: ICC
Shoaib Akhtar, known as the "Rawalpindi Express," achieved this speed during the Newlands Test against England in 2003. His intimidating speed and aggressive approach made him one of the most feared fast bowlers of his era.
Image Source: ICC
Brett Lee, an Australian speedster, reached this speed during an ODI against England in 2005. He was consistently one of the fastest bowlers in the world and played a key role in Australia's dominance during his career.
Image Source: ICC
Another Australian fast bowler, Shaun Tait, achieved the same speed as Brett Lee in an ODI match against England in 2010. Tait was known for his raw pace and ability to generate bounce from the pitch.
Image Source: ICC
Jeff Thomson was one of the fastest bowlers of his era in the 1970s. He bowled at this speed during a Test match against West Indies in 1975. His partnership with Dennis Lillee formed one of the most fearsome fast bowling duos in cricket history.
Image Source: ICC
Mitchell Starc, a contemporary Australian fast bowler, reached this speed during a Test match against New Zealand in 2015. He is known for his left-arm pace and ability to swing the ball, making him a potent weapon in various formats.
Image Source: ICC
Andy Roberts, a former West Indian cricketer, achieved this speed during a Test match against Australia in 1975. He was a key part of the West Indies' formidable fast-bowling lineup during their dominant years.
Image Source: ICC
Fidel Edwards, another West Indian fast bowler, reached this speed during a Test match against South Africa in 2003. His rapid pace and aggressive style of bowling made him a threat to opposition batsmen.
Image Source: ICC
Umran Malik has earned a reputation as India's swiftest bowler. He etched his name in history by delivering the fastest ball ever bowled by an Indian cricketer, clocking in at a remarkable 157 km/h. This remarkable feat was accomplished during a match against the Delhi team on May 5, 2022, in the Indian T20 League
Image Source: ICC
Mitchell Johnson, known for his left-arm pace and ability to generate bounce, achieved this speed during an ODI against England in 2013. Johnson's menacing spells were a highlight of his career.
Image Source: ICC
Mohammad Sami, a Pakistani fast bowler, reached this speed during an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2003. Sami's burst of pace earned him a reputation as a talented but inconsistent bowler.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule, Full List of Teams, Dates, Venues
Who was known as the "Rawalpindi Express"?
Shoaib Akhtar from Pakistan was famously known as the "Rawalpindi Express" due to his lightning-fast pace and aggressive bowling style.
Which year did Shoaib Akhtar reach his top speed of 161.3 km/h
Shoaib Akhtar reached his top speed of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) during a match against England in 2003.
I have a keen interest in sports. I like cricket, football, hockey, badminton, and kabaddi the most. I am a fan of CSK in IPL. My favorite players are Virat Kohli and MS dhoni. My passion for the game stems from his childhood dream of becoming a cricketer. However, that path did not come forth, so I chose an alternate career in cricket, incorporating my love for journalism. I have been writing about cricket and other sports for the last 5 years. I started my journey in sports journalism with Possible11 in 2021 and have been working for them since then.
