Top 10 Slowest Balls in Cricket History: Ever Bowled by Bowlers

Slowest ball in cricket history – that phrase grabs every fan’s attention. In a sport where speed rules and pace bowlers regularly hit 140 kph, the slowest ball in cricket history is a delightful paradox. This article digs into the top ten such deliveries, and tells you why they mattered.

Slowest Ball In Cricket History: Bowlers, Speeds And Moments

1. Leigh Kasperek

• Date: November 17, 2017
• Match: New Zealand Women vs Australia Women
• Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Tournament: Women’s ODI bilateral series

The slowest ball in cricket history doesn’t belong to a fiery fast bowler – it belongs to a New Zealand spinner. In 2017, Leigh Kasperek looped an off‑spinner at 38 kph (about 23.6 mph) against Australia. That ball, slower than most cyclists, is the slowest ball in cricket history, holding the women’s record in that category.

2. Majid Haq

• Match: Scotland vs England
• Date: March 23, 2015
• Stadium: Saxton Oval, Nelson, Tournament
• 2015 Cricket World Cup

Majid Haq of Scotland relied on his regular spin speed of 67 kph throughout the 2015 Cricket World Cup, proving deadly against stronger opponents as his consistent pace bamboozled batsmen in key group stage encounters.

With such a slow delivery in control, he could very well alter the rhythm of the game. At the same time, the batsmen found themselves scrambling to get their eyes tuned to the rhythm.

3. Otto Soleman

• Date: mid-2010s
• Tournament: ICC Associate cricket events

Otto Soleman isn’t a household name, and that’s exactly why his slowest delivery catches attention. Playing for the Netherlands, Soleman bowled a leg-spin delivery that reportedly dipped around 70 km/h, unusually slow even by spin standards. The ball floated in, almost paused mid-air, and tempted the batter into a mistimed shot. There was no trickery, no disguise. 

4. Rahul Chahar

• Date: Oct 4, 2021
• Match: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings
• Stadium: Dubai International Cricket Stadium ​
• Tournament: Indian Premier League

Rahul Chahar’s slowest deliveries come when batters expect him to attack. Known for bowling brisk leg-spin, Chahar occasionally drops one down to 75–80 km/h, forcing hitters to reach too early. One such delivery in the IPL visibly fooled a well-set batter, who went through the shot far too soon. 

5. Sunil Narine

• Date: Various seasons (2012–2024)
•  Match: West Indies / IPL fixtures
•  Stadium: Multiple venues worldwide
•  Tournament: IPL, international T20s

Sunil Narine has built a career on confusion. His slowest deliveries often clock between 55 and 60 km/h, but speed is only part of the story. Narine’s slowest balls rarely look dramatic on replay, but in real time, they force hesitation. And hesitation in T20 cricket is fatal. That’s why Narine’s slow deliveries remain some of the most effective in modern cricket.

6. Rashid Khan

• Date: 2018–2023 (reported instances)
• Match: Afghanistan / T20 league matches
• Stadium: International and franchise venues
• Tournament: IPL, BBL, international cricket

When Rashid Khan drops the pace to around 70–75 km/h, batters misjudge the length instantly. One such slow delivery in a T20 league match led to a simple return catch, the batter beaten not by spin, but by timing. Rashid’s slowest balls work because they break rhythm. 

7. Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

• Date: Mid-2000s (reported)
• Match: Pakistan vs India
• Tournament: One-Day International

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan’s slowest delivery is remembered because it came from a fast-medium bowler. During an ODI against India, a slower ball was clocked at around 72 km/h, dramatically slower than his usual pace. 

8. Dwayne Bravo

• Match: West Indies vs India
• Date: October 16, 2006
• Stadium: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Tournament: Bilateral ODI series

Dwayne Bravo’s slowest delivery worked because nobody saw it coming. Known for clever variations rather than raw pace, Bravo bowled a slower ball that was clocked at around 116–118 km/h, far below his usual speed. The batter committed early, expecting a fuller ball with pace. Instead, the ball dipped, arrived late, and ruined the shot. 

9. Jasprit Bumrah

• Match: India vs Australia
• Date: December 26, 2018
• Stadium: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tournament
• Boxing Day Test, Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah’s slowest ball feels strange because everything about him screams speed. In this match, he rolled his fingers and sent down a slower delivery at around 112–113 km/h. It looked harmless in the air, but it arrived late and cramped the batter. Bumrah’s action makes the ball hard to read, even when it’s slow.

10. Shoaib Akhtar

• Date: March 22, 2003
• Match: Pakistan vs Australia
• Stadium: SuperSport Park, Centurion
• Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup

Shoaib Akhtar and “slowest ball” don’t belong in the same sentence. But that’s exactly why this delivery is remembered. During the 2003 World Cup, Akhtar bowled a rare slower ball that came in at around 130–132 km/h, dramatically slower than his usual 150-plus thunderbolts.

Slowest Ball in IPL Cricket

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a playground for innovation in bowling. Flat pitches and power‑hitters make it tough for bowlers, yet the cricket slowest ball remains a game‑changer. 

CricketCounsel’s research lists Dwayne Bravo, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar among the IPL’s slower‑ball masters. Bravo’s knuckle‑ball, typically between 110–120 kph, has an “extremely high” success rate; it famously dismissed AB de Villiers in a final. 

Bumrah’s back‑of‑hand slowest ball in cricket confounds even the best batters, while Bhuvneshwar’s off‑cutters grip Indian pitches. These examples show how the slowest ball in IPL matches ensures wickets when every run counts.

Suggested Read: Fastest Ball in IPL History (2008–2025) | Complete Speed Record List

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