Top 15 Fastest Balls Ever Bowled in Cricket History
From cricket, we often get the image of a game that requires skill, strategy and expertise. And sometimes when we think about it, we also see moments of speed and power of our country’s team. Batting, bowling and fielding, as well as some other factors are important for cricket, but today our main focus is on bowling. Bowlers have always been appreciated, because whenever they play, their only focus is to scare the batsmen with accuracy and raw speed. Over the years, there have been many notable bowlers who have left the fans, batsmen and even the opposing team with their mouths open.
Let’s take a look at the top 15 fast bowlers in the history of cricket in this blog. These bowlers have set speed records and have become an important part of the cricket heart.
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph)
Date: 2003, opponent England.
Shoaib Akhtar has made a name for himself as the “Rawalpindi Express”. As the name suggests, he is widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers to ever play the game. He bowled this ball during the 2003 Cricket World Cup, which is the fastest recorded ball in cricket history. His ability to bowl with high pace and aggression has made him a nightmare for batsmen around the world.
2. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h (100.07 mph)
Date: 2005, vs New Zealand
Australian speedster Brett Lee was known for his pace and fierce competitiveness. His bowling speed against New Zealand in 2005 was 161.1 km/h, slightly short of Shoaib Akhtar’s record. Lee was a key figure in Australian cricket in the early 2000s, and his pace was an important part of his arsenal.
3. Shaheen Shah Afridi – 160.1 km/h (99.5 mph)
Date: 2021, vs India
Pakistan’s young fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi made a huge impact with this fiery bowling performance against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Bowling at a speed of 160.1 km/h, Afridi’s delivery was the perfect blend of pace and swing. This helped him establish himself as one of the most promising young fast bowlers in international cricket.
4. Jofra Archer – 161.0 km/h (100.0 mph)
Date: 2019, vs Australia
England’s Jofra Archer stunned the cricketing world with his blistering pace and aggression in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. His 161.0 km/h bowling against Australia in the 2019 World Cup was a testament to his speed and control, which helped England win the World Cup.
5. Curtly Ambrose – 159.9 km/h (99.5 mph)
Date: 1993, vs Australia
West Indies legend Curtly Ambrose was a great personality and a powerful presence. This ball was bowled at a speed of 159.9 km/h against Australia in 1993. Ambrose’s ability to bowl fast made him one of the most feared fast bowlers of his generation.
Further Reading: Fastest Batsman to Score 1000 Runs in ODI (2025)
6. Dale Steyn – 161.0 km/h (100 mph)
Date: 2008, vs New Zealand
Dale Steyn always bowls at top speed, but that doesn’t mean he can’t maintain his accuracy against batsmen. In 2008, he bowled at 161 km/h against New Zealand, cementing his place among the fastest bowlers of all time.
7. Mark Wood – 154.7 km/h (96.1 mph)
Date: 2019, vs New Zealand
Known for his extreme pace, Mark Wood has consistently bowled at speeds in excess of 150 km/h. During the 2019 World Cup, he bowled at 154.7 km/h against New Zealand, showcasing his ability to bowl on the big stage.
8. Shahid Afridi – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph)
Date: 2005, vs India
Shahid Afridi, although better known for his aggressive batting, was also capable of bowling some fiery fast balls. His bowling speed reached 161.3 km/h against India in 2005, making him one of the few all-rounders to bowl at such a speed.
9. Lasith Malinga – 156.6 km/h (97.2 mph)
Date: 2007, vs South Africa
Lasith Malinga was a unique bowler for Sri Lanka because of his sling action and late swing. Although he was not always known for his extreme pace, Malinga bowled a ball at a speed of 156.6 km/h against South Africa in 2007. His ability to bowl yorkers at high speed made him a valuable asset for Sri Lanka.
10. Andrew Flintoff – 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph)
Date: 2006, vs Australia
England’s Andrew Flintoff was a dynamic all-rounder with the ability to bowl fast balls. He bowled a ball at a speed of 160.6 km/h against Australia during the 2006 Ashes.
11. Mohammad Sami – 161.4 km/h (100.26 mph)
Date: 2003, vs New Zealand
Another Pakistani speedster, Mohammad Sami, was known for his fast pace. His bowling against New Zealand in 2003 reached a speed of 161.4 km/h, making him one of the fastest bowlers in cricket. Sami could bowl fast but struggled to be consistent at the highest level.
12. Jeff Thomson – 161.1 km/h (100.08 mph)
Date: 1975, vs West Indies
Australian great Jeff Thomson, often overshadowed by his teammate Dennis Lillee, was a lethal fast bowler in his prime. His pace was fearsome, and his 161.1 km/h bowling against the West Indies in 1975 was an unforgettable moment in cricket history.
13. Rashid Khan – 156.0 km/h (96.9 mph)
Date: 2019, vs Pakistan
Although more famous for his spin bowling, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan surprised everyone by bowling at a speed of 156 km/h in a match against Pakistan in 2019. The variety in his pace, combined with his leg spin, made him a unique asset.
14. Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph)
Date: 2003, vs India
Shane Bond was the fastest bowler New Zealand ever produced. When he was still playing, he was one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket. When England was playing against India (2003), he bowled at a speed of 156.4 km/h. There he combined both speed, accuracy and bounce.
15. Ravi Rampaul – 156.8 km/h (97.3 mph)
Date: 2012, vs India
West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul bowled a ball at a speed of 156.8 km/h during a match against India in 2012. Although not as famous as the other fast bowlers on this list, Rampaul’s speed was undeniable.
ConclusionÂ
The world of fast bowling in cricket is full of legends who have bowled the ball at breakneck speeds through the air. While pace alone does not guarantee success, it has undoubtedly been one of the most feared and respected weapons in the game.
FAQs: Questions & Answers
Q1. Who holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in cricket history?
The record for the fastest bowling in cricket history belongs to Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar. He bowled a ball at a speed of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) during a match against England in 2003.
Q2. Which fast bowler bowled the fastest delivery in the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
England’s Jofra Archer bowled the fastest ball in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, in which he bowled the ball at a speed of 161.0 km/h (100 mph).
