Pakistan is a land of fast bowlers. Over the years, this team has produced some fierce pacers in the game that have dominated other teams. When you heard about the Pakistan team in the 1990s, the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan established themselves as some of the best pacers in the game.
Then, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Shami, and Umar Gul took over, and now Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are carrying this legacy forward. Not just the pacers, but some Pakistani spinners have also dominated the game over the years. And in this article, we will cover the list of Pakistani bowlers with the most wickets in the history of 50-over cricket.
5. Abdul Razzaq – 268 wickets in 261 ODIs
Former Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is the fifth-highest wicket-taker for his country in 50-over cricket. Razzaq was a well-known all-rounder, and not many genuine all-rounders followed him into Pakistan cricket. He made his ODI debut in November 1996 against Zimbabwe at Lahore and picked up 2/29. Razzaq played 265 One-Day Internationals in his career, taking 269 wickets with a best figure of 6/35. He also scored 5080 runs with three centuries and 23 half-centuries.
4. Saqlain Mushtaq – 288 wickets in 169 ODIs
Former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket for Pakistan. He made his ODI debut in September 1995 against Sri Lanka at Gujranwala. Saqlain has played for Pakistan for eight years and has appeared in 169 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Notably, he still holds the record for most ODI wickets in a calendar year. Saqlain picked up 69 wickets in 1997. Overall, he took 288 wickets including six wicket-hauls with the best figure of 5/20.
3. Shahid Afridi – 393 wickets in 393 ODIs
Former Pakistani skipper and spin-bowling all-rounder Shahid Afridi makes the list. He made his international debut as a hard-hitting top-order batter. Afridi made his debut in October 1996 against Pakistan. He played a total of 398 ODIs in his career and took 395 wickets at an economy rate of 4.62, with the best figure of 7/12. Afridi also scored 8064 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 117, with six centuries and 39 half-centuries.
2. Waqar Younis – 416 wickets in 262 ODIs
Former pacer and one of the best that the game has seen, Waqar Younis makes second on the list. Younis is also the third highest wicket-taker in the world and the second highest for Pakistan. He made his debut in October 1989 against the West Indies at Sharjah Stadium. Waqar played 262 matches in his career and took 416 wickets at an average of 23.84 and an economy rate of 4.68. He also took 13 fifers (most by any bowler) and 14 four-wicket hauls in his career.
1. Wasim Akram – 502 wickets in 356 ODIs
Arguably the best left-arm pacer in ODI cricket, Wasim Akram is sitting at the top of the tree. He was the one who pioneered reverse swing bowling and used it as one of his wicket-taking options. Wasim made his ODI debut in November 1984 against New Zealand. He played a total of 356 ODIs and took 502 wickets (second most in ODI history) at an economy rate of 3.89 and the best bowling figure of 5/15.
List of Highest Wicket Taker in ODI for Pakistan
| Bowler | Span | Mts | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | 1984-2003 | 356 | 502 | 5/15 | 3.89 | 6 |
| Waqar Younis | 1989-2003 | 262 | 416 | 7/36 | 4.68 | 13 |
| Shahid Afridi | 1996-2015 | 393 | 393 | 7/12 | 4.62 | 9 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | 1995-2003 | 169 | 288 | 5/20 | 4.29 | 6 |
| Abdul Razzaq | 1996-2011 | 261 | 268 | 6/35 | 4.67 | 3 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 1998-2011 | 158 | 241 | 6/16 | 4.75 | 4 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 2008-2015 | 113 | 184 | 5/24 | 4.18 | 2 |
| Imran Khan | 1974-1992 | 175 | 182 | 6/14 | 3.89 | 1 |
| Aaqib Javed | 1988-1998 | 163 | 182 | 7/37 | 4.28 | 4 |
| Umar Gul | 2003-2016 | 130 | 179 | 6/42 | 5.19 | 2 |