Top 10 Bowlers With Fastest 100 Wickets in ODI Cricket History

In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), having the fastest 100 ODI wickets is something every bowler dreams of. This feat truly separates the greats from the rest, as the speed at which they get there is incredibly exceptional and rare.

Topping the table with the fastest to 100 wickets in ODI, Sandeep Lamichhane from Nepal achieved this record in just 42 matches, followed by Rashid Khan, who has this feat in 44 matches. Similarly, the other names span from different countries, playing styles, and eras — a reflection of global cricketing excellence.

Fastest 100 ODI Wickets – Top 10 Game Changers

Let’s briefly look at these great top 10 players: 

Sandeep Lamichhane (42 matches)

• Debut: 2018
• Milestone achieved: April 2023 vs Oman
• Bowling style: Right-arm leg-spin’
• Notable average in ODIs: 21.81

Sandeep Lamichhane made history when he scored the fastest 100 ODI wickets, at just 42 games. This landmark was in 2023 against Oman in Kirtipur, where his leg-spin proved his worth among the big nations.

Sandeep is known to be sharp with the googlies and with control, it was no different in the match as well, since he picked up 3 wickets in 8 overs at an economy of 5.62. His regularity and ability to take wickets in stressful situations put him at the top of the list of the fastest 100 wickets in ODI.

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Rashid Khan (44 matches)

• Debut: 2015
• Milestone achieved: March 2018 vs West Indies
• Bowling style: Right-arm leg-spin
• Notable average in ODI: 21.94

Rashid Khan is another name among the bowlers with the fastest 100 ODI wickets, achieving this feat playing 44 matches for Afghanistan. During the match against West Indies, Rashid was only 19 years old and took only one wicket, along with the contribution of other bowlers, to win the match by 7 wickets, while chasing the target of 205 runs. A phenomenon in white-ball cricket, whose unrelenting accuracy, deceptive googlies, and ability to perform under pressure helped him to take the fastest 100 ODI wickets.

Bilal Khan (49 matches)

• Debut: 2019
• Milestone achieved: July 2024 vs Namibia
• Bowling style: Left-arm swing
• Notable average in ODI: 20.55

Bilal Khan made one of the largest cricketing success stories in Oman by making it to the list of the fastest 100 ODI wickets, achieving this milestone in his 49th match in 2024 in Dundee, playing against Namibia. 

Not only this, but his hard work and talent have certainly made him among the bowlers with the fastest to 100 wickets in ODI list. The swing bowling with his left arm and his precision ensured that he was a constant danger, particularly during the powerplay overs, where he concluded with taking 3 wickets at an economy of 5.00 during the fastest 100 ODI wickets record match. .

Shaheen Shah Afridi (51 matches)

• Debut: 2018
• Milestone achieved: October 2023 vs Bangladesh
• Bowling style: Left-arm fast
• Notable average in ODI: 13.05

During the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistani Shaheen Shah Afridi took 3 wickets to become one of the bowlers with the fastest 100 ODI wickets, playing a total of 51 games in his career. 

It was the match against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, where Pakistan won the match by 7 wickets, but the greatness of Afridi was written in the history books, holding the accolade of fastest 100 wickets in ODI. (1) The success of Shaheen is also an indication of the high tradition of fast bowlers in the world, as he continues to perform when the country needs him the most.

Mitchell Starc (52 matches)

• Debut: 2010
• Milestone achieved: August 2016 vs Sri Lanka
• Bowling style: Left-arm fast
• Known for: Toe-crushing yorkers and pace exceeding 150 km/h
• Notable average in ODI: 23.82
  

Starc’s rise coincided with Australia’s dominance in global tournaments. His record pace and lethal in-swinging yorkers make him a match-winner in any conditions. Achieving the feat of fastest 100 ODI wickets in 52 matches solidified his reputation as one of the greatest ODI fast bowlers of the modern era.

While playing Sri Lanka in 2016, Starc took 3 wickets, restricting the hosts to just 227 runs. In response to this, Aussies chased the target in 46.5 overs, with the great contribution from batsmen like Steven Smith, Mathew Wade, and Aaron Finch. With the fastest 100 ODI wickets in his name, Starc was the hero of the match. 

Saqlain Mushtaq (53 matches)

• Debut: 1995
• Milestone achieved: 1997 vs Sri Lanka
• Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin
• Legacy: Inventor of the “doosra”
• Notable average in ODI: 25.26

Saqlain was a revolutionary spinner in the late 1990s, who cleverly used flight and mystery balls, making him difficult to decode among the greats. The inventor of Doosra became one of the bowlers with the fastest 100 ODI wickets in the year 1997 while playing for Pakistan. 

In just 53 matches, the right-arm off spinner had the fastest of 100 wickets, that too against Sri Lanka, where he ended up picking 3 wickets at an economy of 4.37.

Shane Bond (54 matches)

• Debut: 2002
• Milestone achieved: January 2007 vs England
• Bowling style: Right-arm fast
• Key weapon: Fearsome bounce and pinpoint control
• Notable average in ODI: 26.50

Despite a career constantly interrupted by injuries, Bond’s pace and accuracy made him one of the most intimidating bowlers, who had the fastest 100 ODI wickets. He reached the 100-wicket mark in only 54 ODIs, proving his effectiveness whenever he was on the field.

Being the bowler to hold the fastest of 100 wickets is in one place, but his contribution in the clash against England proved his worth, taking 2 wickets at an economy of just 3.25, respectively.

Mustafizur Rahman (54 matches)

• Debut: 2015
• Milestone achieved: July 2019 vs West Indies
• Bowling style: Left-arm fast-medium
• Trademark deliveries: Off-cutters and slower balls
• Notable average in ODI: 25.32
  

Mustafizur, often referred to as “The Fizz”, stormed onto the international scene with back-to-back five-wicket hauls. His deceptive bowling style and mastery over cutters, especially on slow pitches, helped him to be on the list of the fastest 100 ODI wickets in just 54 matches — the fastest for any Bangladeshi player. (2)

The milestone was achieved in the year 2019 during the match against Pakistan, where Fizz took 5 wickets. Despite being the bowler with the fastest 100 ODI wickets on the same day, Bangladesh lost the game by 94 runs.

Brett Lee (55 matches)

• Debut: 2000
• Milestone achieved: 2003 vs England
• Bowling style: Right-arm fast
• Speed: Consistently over 150 km/h
• Notable average in ODI: 23.36

One of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, Brett Lee, combined raw pace with aggression held the record of being the bowler with the fastest 100 ODI wickets in 55 matches. 

He later went on to claim 380 ODI wickets, becoming one of Australia’s all-time greats. With his five-wicket haul on the match day, Australia ended up winning the game by 5 runs, awarding Lee with Player of the Match.

Trent Boult (56 matches)

• Debut: 2012
• Milestone achieved: 2017 vs West Indies
• Bowling style: Left-arm swing
• Best known for: Deadly new-ball spells
• Notable average in ODI: 24.38
  

Boult’s ability to swing the ball both ways made him a threat, particularly with the new ball. He reached the 100-wicket mark in 56 matches, marking his name among the fastest 100 ODI wickets. 

A deadly bowler with the new ball was something else. During the match against West Indies, he picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 3.40, leading NZ to a 204-run win.

Mohammed Shami (56 matches)

• Debut: 2013
• Milestone achieved: June 2019 vs Afghanistan
• Bowling style: Right-arm fast
• Strengths: Seam position, reverse swing, late movement
• Notable average in ODI: 24.1

When the topic is about who became the fastest Indian to reach 100 ODI wickets, Shami’s name comes on top, who achieved this feat in 56 games only. His ability to bowl in all phases — with the new ball, in the middle overs, and at the death — makes him a complete package.

Holding the fastest 100 ODI wickets record, in the match against New Zealand, Shami did not leave any stone unturned as he took 3 wickets by giving away 19 runs, leading India to a win by 8 wickets.

Upcoming Bowlers Who Could Break Records

While talking about the renowned bowlers who have already etched their names in the history books with the fastest 100 ODI wickets, the new talents of the generations should not be counted out, with the potential they have been showing recently. 

Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)

One of the names that would soon be added to the list of bowlers to have the fastest 100 ODI wickets is Jacob Duffy. He already has 35 wickets in his name, playing just 19 matches in ODIs. 

With an economy of 5.90 and the best bowling average of 3 for 35  in the format, Duffy has the potential to hold the fastest to 100 wickets in ODI record soon, since he has been playing actively for his country. 

Avesh Khan (India)

Avesh Khan is also emerging as a good Indian bowler who may break the record of fastest 100 ODI wickets. Despite him getting an opportunity to play only 8 matches from the year he debuted for India, he has 9 wickets with the best bowling figure of 4 for 27. 

For him, the opportunity to play for the country is only setting a limit to be on the list of bowlers with the fastest 100 wickets in ODI, which could be seen happening soon, looking at how he is approaching different formats of the game.

Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka)

Maheesh Theekshana is also the new spin sensation of Sri Lanka, who already has 79 ODI wickets in just 59 matches and could etch his name among the bowlers with the fastest 100 ODI wickets. 

His precision, carrom ball variations, and cost-effective bowling have certainly put him as the potential candidate since he now has an economy of 4.60 with the best bowling figure of 4 for 25. Provided that he continues to perform well, Theekshana might have one of the fastest 100 wickets in ODI to play for Sri Lanka.

Key Prospects to Watch

As we discussed about the talents who have been playing actively for the country and have been performing well despite the struggles, putting themselves on the list of the fastest 100 ODI wickets, there are some names that need to be looked after, such as Zahoor Khan from the UAE and Ruben Trumpelmann from Namibia.

• Zahoor Khan (UAE) 

Debuted in the year 2017 against Scotland at Dubai, Zahoor Khan has been one of the key bowlers to the side, taking wickets when needed the most. Playing 62 matches in his entire career, he has 93 wickets in total, looking to have the fastest 100 ODI wickets for the country. 

Bowling with an economy of 5.01 and best bowling figure of 6 for 34, Khan is certainly looking to hit the milestone of the fastest to 100 wickets in ODI as soon as possible. Cricket fans are certainly looking at his gameplay closer than ever.

• Ruben Trumpelmann (Namibia) 

Namibia’s sensational talent, Ruben Trumpelmann, is also on the verge of picking the fastest 100 ODI wickets for his country following his debut in 2021 against Oman. Having played 49 matches in total, he already has 73 wickets, bowling at an average of 25.25. 

Although he could not be at the top of the list of bowlers with the fastest of 100 wickets despite the best bowling figure of 5 for 30 and an economy of 4.85, his commitment towards the game will certainly put him among the great bowlers who have already achieved this feat. 

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Amit Mishra’s Take

The history of the fastest 100 ODI wickets reveals the ability, discipline, and consistency that the top-class bowlers have. Whether it is the gorgeous 42-match record of Sandeep Lamichhane or Rashid Khan, Bilal Khan, or Shaheen Afridi, every bowler demonstrated how they can make a difference in the game in a very short period. 

Their performance and the records of the fastest 100 ODI wickets emphasize the styles of bowling and the state of the matches. These players not only learn the art of taking wickets but also demonstrate the importance of early breakthroughs in ODIs. India is also rising well in terms of pace-bowling as Mohammed Shami is the fastest Indian to reach 100 ODI wickets. Altogether, these bowlers demonstrate the high standards of present-day cricket.

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Reference Links

1. Mysterycricket, 2025
2. Cricket country, 2016