By Ravi - Aug 09, 2025 04:08 PM
Pakistan cricket has a history of producing some of the most dangerous and skilful bowlers. From the "Sultan of Swing" to the "Rawalpindi Express", these bowlers have left an indelible mark on the game. Their ability to take wickets consistently across formats, be it Tests, ODIs or T20s, has made them legends. In this blog, we will talk about Pakistan's highest wicket-takers across formats.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram remains the most successful fast bowler in ODI history, taking 502 wickets in just 351 innings at an average of 23.52. He also played 38 ODI World Cup matches for Pakistan and was named 'Player of the Match' in the 1992 World Cup Final against England when he took a match-winning three wickets to turn the tide. Wasim Akram took 414 wickets in just 181 innings in Test cricket and shone in his red-ball career by taking five wickets in an innings 25 times and ten wickets in a match five times.
Waqar Younis took 789 wickets in his international career, 416 of which were in ODIs, becoming the third-highest wicket-taker in the format. The right-arm fast bowler took 373 wickets in just 154 innings of 87 Tests for Pakistan between November 1989 and January 2003 at an impressive average of 23.56. Surprisingly, he retired from international cricket at the age of just 31.
Pakistan's greatest all-rounder Imran Khan has done it all for his country. Imran Khan has taken 544 wickets. The cricketer, who made his Test debut in June 1971 and played till January 1992, took 362 wickets in just 142 innings at an impressive bowling average of 22.81 and took five wickets in an innings 23 times during this period. In 175 matches including 153 ODIs, Imran Khan took 182 wickets, including the knockout win against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that gave Pakistan the 1992 World Cup.
The legendary Pakistani all-rounder finished his career as Pakistan's most successful spin bowler of all time with 538 wickets including 395 wickets in 372 ODI innings. During his two-decade-long journey from October 1996 to mid-2016, Shahid Afridi took 98 wickets in 99 T20 matches and 48 wickets in 27 Test matches for Pakistan.
Pakistan's legendary off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took 496 international wickets in his career. He was 27 years old when he played his last international match for Pakistan. Saqlain made his debut in Pakistan's all-format home series against Sri Lanka in September 1995, after which he was part of the Pakistani bowling line-up for the next decade. He took 208 wickets for Pakistan in just 49 Test matches at an average of 29.83. Saqlain Mushtaq took 288 wickets in just 165 ODI innings at an average of 21.78.
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