One Day International cricket has featured some extraordinary bowlers who mastered the art of beating batters and hitting the stumps. While wickets can also come through catches, stumpings and run-outs, a clean bowled dismissal remains one of the clearest demonstrations of a bowler completely outplaying a batter. The Most Bowled Dismissals in ODI cricket therefore provide an interesting look at bowlers who consistently relied on pace, swing, seam, spin and accuracy.
The following ranking features legendary fast bowlers and spinners whose ODI careers were defined by consistency and wicket-taking ability. From Wasim Akram’s swing to Muttiah Muralitharan’s variations, these players repeatedly found ways to break through world-class batting line-ups.
10. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya is best remembered for his explosive batting, but his left-arm spin was also an important part of Sri Lanka’s ODI success. He used accuracy, variations and clever changes of pace to trouble batters and create important breakthroughs. His ability to break partnerships made him a valuable all-rounder throughout his international career. With 88 bowled dismissals, Jayasuriya earned his place among the notable players in the Most Bowled Dismissals ranking.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–2011 | 445 | 14,874 | 11,871 | 88 |
9. Brett Lee
Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers of his generation and a major weapon for Australia in ODI cricket. His express pace, attacking approach and accurate yorkers regularly put batters under pressure. Lee frequently targeted the stumps and was capable of producing match-changing spells against strong batting line-ups. His ability to combine speed with precision resulted in 89 bowled dismissals during his ODI career, placing him among the leading names for Most Bowled Dismissals.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2012 | 221 | 11,185 | 8,877 | 89 |
8. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas built an outstanding ODI career through swing, accuracy and disciplined bowling rather than relying solely on pace. The Sri Lankan left-arm seamer was particularly effective with the new ball, where his ability to move the ball in both directions made him difficult to handle. Vaas consistently maintained tight lines and created important breakthroughs for his team. His 90 bowled dismissals demonstrate his effectiveness at attacking the stumps and place him among the notable bowlers for Most Bowled Dismissals.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–2008 | 322 | 15,775 | 11,014 | 90 |
7. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has established himself as one of the most dangerous left-arm fast bowlers of the modern ODI era. His high pace, sharp angle and devastating inswinging yorkers have made him a constant threat to batters. Starc is particularly effective with the new ball and during the death overs, where his ability to target the stumps can produce decisive wickets. With 91 bowled dismissals in the supplied statistics, Starc features prominently among the modern bowlers with the Most Bowled Dismissals.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2025 | 130 | 6,638 | 5,826 | 91 |
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6. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble was one of India’s most dependable ODI bowlers and relied on accuracy, bounce, pace and relentless pressure to trouble opposition batters. Rather than depending entirely on dramatic turn, Kumble frequently used his variations and consistent lines to force mistakes. His ability to deliver breakthroughs during important stages of matches made him a key part of India’s bowling attack. Kumble finished with 92 bowled dismissals, earning him a strong position among the bowlers with the Most Bowled Dismissals.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990–2007 | 271 | 14,496 | 10,412 | 92 |
5. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was famous for his explosive batting, but his leg-spin bowling was equally valuable to Pakistan’s ODI team. His quick deliveries, googlies and attacking mindset allowed him to take wickets and break partnerships during the middle overs. Afridi consistently searched for breakthroughs rather than simply focusing on restricting runs, making him a dangerous wicket-taking option. His 104 bowled dismissals place him among the leading players in the Most Bowled Dismissals rankings.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–2015 | 398 | 17,670 | 13,632 | 104 |
4. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga revolutionized fast bowling with his distinctive sling-arm action and exceptional ability to bowl yorkers. He was especially dangerous during the death overs, when his pinpoint accuracy allowed him to repeatedly attack the base of the stumps. Malinga’s unusual action, pace and variations made him extremely difficult for batters to predict. His 104 bowled dismissals highlight his outstanding ability to hit the stumps and secure his place among the leading bowlers for Most Bowled Dismissals.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2019 | 226 | 10,936 | 9,760 | 104 |
3. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is widely regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history. His extraordinary variations, sharp turn and exceptional control made him a constant challenge for batters around the world. Muralitharan could deceive batters in flight and with changes in direction, regularly finding ways to break through strong batting line-ups. His 122 bowled dismissals underline his remarkable wicket-taking ability and place him among the top names for Most Bowled Dismissals in ODI cricket.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2011 | 350 | 18,811 | 12,326 | 122 |
2. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis was one of the most feared fast bowlers of the 1990s, renowned for his devastating reverse swing and lethal yorkers. His ability to make the ball move late at high speed allowed him to attack the stumps with exceptional effectiveness. Waqar regularly produced destructive spells and could dismiss both established batters and tailenders with his pinpoint deliveries. With an impressive 151 bowled dismissals, he ranks second among the bowlers with the Most Bowled Dismissals in the supplied statistics.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–2003 | 262 | 12,698 | 9,919 | 151 |
1. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram sits at the top of the Most Bowled Dismissals ranking with an outstanding 176 dismissals. Known as the “Sultan of Swing,” the legendary Pakistani fast bowler mastered conventional swing, reverse swing, slower deliveries and deadly yorkers. His ability to make the ball move late gave batters very little time to react, while his accuracy allowed him to consistently attack the stumps. Across his remarkable ODI career, Akram delivered countless match-winning spells and established himself as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
| Span | Matches | Balls | Runs | Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–2003 | 356 | 18,186 | 11,812 | 176 |
FAQs
Who has the most bowled dismissals in ODI cricket?
According to the supplied ranking, Wasim Akram has the most bowled dismissals in ODI cricket, with 176.
How many bowled dismissals does Waqar Younis have?
Waqar Younis recorded 151 bowled dismissals in ODI cricket according to the supplied data.
Which spinner features highest on the list?
Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest-ranked spinner, with 122 bowled dismissals.
How many bowled dismissals did Lasith Malinga take?
Lasith Malinga recorded 104 bowled dismissals in the supplied ODI statistics.
Is being bowled considered a wicket for the bowler?
Yes. A batter dismissed by being bowled is credited as a wicket to the bowler.
Why are bowled dismissals important in ODI cricket?
A bowled dismissal shows that the delivery successfully defeated the batter and hit the stumps. Bowlers who consistently achieve this usually possess strong accuracy, movement, pace or variation.