There have been many incredible bowlers that have played the game of cricket. Over the years every era has seen many big bowling superstars that have registered their names in the record book. However, there are only few that impressed everyone since their debut. Out this article is also related to one such stat.
Here we will talk about the bowler who took fewer games to complete 50 wickets in ODI cricket or the fastest to take 50 ODI wickets in history. This record belongs to a spinner, who achieved this landmark in less than 50 ODIs, which is just unbelievable to know. So let’s check this elite list.
Fastest to 50 Wickets in ODI History
| Bowler | Vs | Venue | Mth Date | Debut | Time | Mts Taken |
| Ajantha Mendis (SL) | Zimbabwe | Mirpur | 12 Jan 2009 | 10 Apr 2008 | 0y 277d | 19 |
| Ajit Agarkar (IND) | Zimbabwe | Harare | 30 Sep 1998 | 1 Apr 1998 | 0y 182d | 23 |
| Mitchell McClenaghan (NZ) | South Africa | Mount Maunganui | 24 Oct 2014 | 19 Jan 2013 | 1y 278d | 23 |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | India | Sydney | 18 Dec 1980 | 24 Aug 1972 | 8y 116d | 24 |
| Hasan Ali (PAK) | Sri Lanka | Abu Dhabi | 18 Oct 2017 | 18 Aug 2016 | 1y 61d | 24 |
| Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | Hong Kong | Dubai (DSC) | 18 Sep 2018 | 23 Jun 2017 | 1y 87d | 24 |
| Shane Warne (AUS) | Sri Lanka | Colombo (PSS) | 13 Sep 1994 | 24 Mar 1993 | 1y 173d | 25 |
| Matt Henry (NZ) | Australia | Hamilton | 8 Feb 2016 | 31 Jan 2014 | 2y 8d | 25 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK) | South Africa | Centurion | 7 Apr 2021 | 21 Sep 2018 | 2y 198d | 25 |
| Len Pascoe (AUS) | West Indies | Sydney | 27 Jan 1982 | 2 Jun 1977 | 4y 239d | 26 |
5. Hasan Ali (PAK) – 24 matches
Veteran Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali is the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets form his country. He is also the joint-fifth fastest to do so. Hasan made his debut against Ireland in August 2016 and didn’t pick any wicket. But later, he complete 50 wickets in just 24 games in his career.
4. Dennis Lillee (AUS) – 24 Matches
The legendary Australia pacer Dennis Lillee was the fastest bowler to take 50 ODI wickets in his time. He had a superb test career with 355 wickets and also found success in the 50-over cricket. Lillee reached 50 ODI wickets in his 24th game. He didn’t pick any wicket in his debut game.
3. Mitchell McClenaghan (NZ) – 23 Matches
The veteran Kiwi pacer Mitchell McClenaghan is the joint-second fastest bowler with 50 wickets. He made his debut against South Africa and took 4/20 in his debut game. It took him only matches to complete 50 wickets in ODI cricket. Overall, he played 48 ODIs and took 82 wickets with a best of 5/58.
2. Ajit Agarkar (IND) – 23 Matches
Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar was a brilliant ODI bowler but injury cut short his career. He was the fastest bowler to take 50 ODI wickets at his time. In fact, Agarkar is still the faster bowler to reach 50 wickets in terms of time. He achieved the landmark in just 182 days and 23 matches. Agarkar retired with 288 wickets in 191 ODIs at an average of 27.85 and a best of 6/42.
1. Ajantha Mendis (SL) – 19 Matches
The man that broke record of Ajit Agarkar was the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. He made the record and took three games less games than the second ranked bowler. Mendis completed 50 ODI wickets in just 19 games. In his debut game against West Indies, he took 3/39. In his ODI career, he played 87 games and took 152 wickets with a best of 6/13.