In the history of One Day International cricket, there are countless moments where bowlers have stolen the spotlight from batsmen. Taking a five-wicket haul in an ODI is considered one of the greatest personal milestones a bowler can achieve. It does not only reflect skill and accuracy but also highlights the ability to shift the match completely in favor of the bowling side. Over the years, some bowlers have gone beyond expectations and achieved this rare feat multiple times, proving themselves as legends of the game.
This article looks deeply into the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, ranking the top ten bowlers who consistently turned games with their extraordinary performances. From explosive fast bowlers to magical spinners, this list showcases bowlers who made cricket fans witness history again and again.
List of 10 Bowlers with the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History
10. Lance Klusener
Lance Klusener was one of South Africa’s most loved cricketers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While fans mostly remember him for his explosive batting and finishing skills, his bowling was equally impactful. Klusener was a medium-fast bowler who could swing the ball and trap batters with clever variations. He recorded six five-wicket hauls in his ODI career, which is why his name deserves mention among the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History. His best performance of 6/49 came against Kenya, where he completely destroyed their batting line-up. Klusener’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him a complete match-winner, and his bowling achievements prove that he was much more than just a hard-hitting batsman Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 171 | 1762 | 192 | 6/49 | 6 |
9. Trent Boult
Trent Boult is one of the most consistent fast bowlers of the modern generation. His left-arm swing bowling has troubled some of the best batsmen in the world. Boult has produced six five-wicket hauls, with his most impressive performance being 7/34, one of the greatest spells in ODI cricket. His ability to take early wickets has often given New Zealand a big advantage in limited-overs matches. Boult’s sharp in-swinging deliveries with the new ball and clever slower balls in the death overs make him a complete package. His contribution to New Zealand cricket is immense, and his name rightly stands tall in the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History as one of the finest left-arm pacers the game has seenMost Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114 | 187 | 211 | 7/34 | 6 |
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8. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has been India’s strike weapon ever since his debut in 2013. Known for his deadly seam movement, reverse swing, and ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers, Shami has often turned matches single-handedly. His best performance of 7/57 shows how destructive he can be when conditions favor him. Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History to his name and is still active in international cricket, which means he could climb even higher on this list. His consistency in ICC tournaments has been especially valuable for India, as he often delivers under pressure. With his natural ability to bowl both with the new ball and at the death, Shami’s presence is vital in any match. His record makes him an essential part of the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, representing the new era of Indian fast bowling.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108 | 195 | 206 | 7/57 | 6 |
7. Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have ever played cricket. He did not rely on raw pace but mastered accuracy and discipline. His bowling was about hitting the perfect line and length over and over, forcing batters into mistakes. McGrath claimed seven five-wicket hauls in ODIs, with his best being an incredible 7/15. His economy rate of under 4 runs per over across such a long career shows how difficult he was to score against. His dominance, particularly in big tournaments like the World Cup, made him Australia’s greatest bowling asset. McGrath’s success is a symbol of patience, discipline, and skill, placing him among the legends in the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 115 | 381 | 7/15 | 7 |
6. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga changed the way death bowling was viewed in modern cricket. His unusual round-arm action and perfect yorkers made him one of the hardest bowlers to face. He had the rare ability to take wickets at the start of the innings and then return to bowl deadly yorkers at the end. Malinga collected eight five-wicket hauls in his career, with his best being 6/38. He also achieved the historic feat of taking four wickets in four consecutive deliveries, something unmatched in ODI history. His aggressive bowling and match-winning spells ensured his place among the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, making him one of Sri Lanka’s all-time greats.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 226 | 567 | 338 | 6/38 | 8 |
5. Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi was famous for his six-hitting ability, but his bowling was equally effective. As a leg-spinner, he often bowled quicker through the air, surprising batsmen with pace and variation. Afridi claimed nine five-wicket hauls, with his standout being 7/12, one of the best ODI spells in history. His 395 ODI wickets make him one of Pakistan’s greatest all-rounders. Afridi could change matches with bat or ball, which is why he remained a fan favorite throughout his long career. His unpredictable nature and ability to strike at crucial times put him firmly in the list of the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, proving that his bowling achievements were just as memorable as his batting fireworks.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | 8064 | 395 | 7/12 | 9 |
4. Brett Lee
Brett Lee was one of the fastest bowlers the game has ever seen. His express pace often touched above 150 km/h, and many batsmen struggled to even react in time. Lee was not only quick but also skilled in swinging the ball, which made him even more dangerous. He picked up nine five-wicket hauls in ODIs, with his best being 5/22. His aggressive nature and ability to bowl match-winning spells made him a key figure in Australia’s dominance during the early 2000s. Lee’s incredible career makes him a perfect example of raw pace combined with skill, and his name is written strongly in the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | 117 | 380 | 5/22 | 9 |
3. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has continued Australia’s legacy of great fast bowlers. Known for his swinging yorkers and deadly pace, he has been a nightmare for top-order batsmen in ODI cricket. Starc has nine five-wicket hauls, with his best being 6/28. His performances in World Cup tournaments have been particularly outstanding, where he often delivered in the biggest matches. Starc’s ability to take early wickets and then return to finish strongly makes him one of the most complete ODI bowlers of the modern era. His record and consistency ensure his place among the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, keeping him in the elite company of legends.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 127 | 186 | 244 | 6/28 | 9 |
2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest spinners cricket has ever known. His ability to spin the ball sharply and control length made him almost impossible to face at times. Murali picked up 10 five-wicket hauls in ODIs, with his best performance being 7/30. His record of 534 wickets in ODI cricket is unmatched for a spinner. He was consistent across different pitches and against all teams, proving his greatness time and again. His remarkable achievements and magical bowling secure him a place at the top of the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, reminding fans why he is called the “spin wizard.”
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 | 674 | 534 | 7/30 | 10 |
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1. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis stands at the very top of this list. Known as the master of reverse swing, Waqar was one of the most feared bowlers in ODI history. He picked up an astonishing 13 five-wicket hauls, the highest by any bowler. His best figures of 7/36 remain legendary and symbolize his destructive power with the ball. Waqar’s express pace and ability to reverse the old ball made him almost unplayable at times. His career total of 416 ODI wickets places him among the all-time greats, and his dominance ensures his spot at the top of the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History, making him a bowler who redefined fast bowling.
| Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Five-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 262 | 969 | 416 | 7/36 | 13 |
The journey through the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket History proves that bowlers can be just as dominant as batsmen in limited-overs cricket. Each bowler on this list left behind a legacy of unforgettable spells that changed games and inspired future generations. From the pace and aggression of Waqar Younis and Brett Lee to the wizardry of Muralitharan and the unique action of Lasith Malinga, every bowler here added a unique flavor to the game. These bowlers not only took wickets but also brought balance to a format often dominated by batsmen, showing that bowling brilliance is equally celebrated in cricket’s rich history.