Through the last forty years of ODI cricket, spectacular best bowling figures in odi have sketched some of the sport's most memorable events in history. Since ODI cricket began over four decades ago, it has dramatically changed as bowlers introduced their new skills that were meant to counter more aggressive batting tactics, changing pitch conditions, and even rule modifications that have resulted in some spectacular bowling feats inspiring new generations of cricketers. It requires a different skill to bowl in ODIs than in Tests - wickets through constant and grasping control over run-scoring. From the pure swing of Wasim Akram to the mystery of Muttiah Muralitharan spin, from the raw pace of Brett Lee to masterful variations of Lasith Malinga, with each generation came bowling legends who have left best bowling figures in odi. The ODI cricket is witnessing phenomenal bowling-from the traditional approaches of the 1980s to the innovative variations of modern cricket. It catches not only the new bowling techniques but also reveals the adaptability of the bowlers towards varied playing conditions, varied match situations, and the increasing demands of the limited-overs cricket. Best Bowling Figures & Most 5/7-Wicket Hauls in ODI History Rank Player Country Wickets Span Matches Average Economy Best Figures 1 M Muralitharan Sri Lanka 534 1993-2011 350 23.08 3.93 7/30 2 Wasim Akram Pakistan 502 1984-2003 356 23.52 3.89 5/15 3 Waqar Younis Pakistan 416 1989-2003 262 23.84 4.68 7/36 4 WPUJC Vaas Sri Lanka 400 1994-2008 322 27.53 4.18 8/19 5 Shahid Afridi Pakistan 395 1996-2015 398 34.51 4.62 7/12 6 SM Pollock South Africa 393 1996-2008 303 24.50 3.67 6/35 7 GD McGrath Australia 381 1993-2007 250 22.02 3.88 7/15 8 Brett Lee Australia 380 2000-2012 221 23.36 4.76 5/22 9 SL Malinga Sri Lanka 338 2004-2019 226 28.87 5.35 6/38 10 Anil Kumble India 337 1990-2007 271 30.89 4.30 6/12 11 ST Jayasuriya Sri Lanka 323 1989-2011 445 36.75 4.78 6/29 12 Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh 317 2006-2023 247 29.52 4.46 5/29 13 J Srinath India 315 1991-2003 229 28.08 4.44 5/23 14 DL Vettori New Zealand 305 1997-2015 295 31.71 4.12 5/7 15 SK Warne Australia 293 1993-2005 194 25.73 4.25 5/33 Top 15 best bowling figures in odi Muttiah Muralitharan (534 wickets) Image Source: The Economic Times The Sri Lankan legend dominated ODI cricket almost for two decades with unbelievable 534 wickets in his kitty. Muralitharan's action was different and could have maximum prodigious turn on any surface, which made him nearly unstoppable. From 1993 till 2011, he sported a magnificent average of 23.08 and 3.93 economy rate: altogether much of a remarkable consistency. He was probably at his best bowling figures in odi when he took the figures of 7/30 against India that goes to prove that he could decimate the strongest batting order in cricket history. Muralitharan has no equal in his performances as an ODI practitioner with 7 five-wicket hauls and 30 four-wicket hauls. Wasim Akram (502) Image Source: Cricadium The Sultan of Swing rewrote the fast-bowling dictionary with 502 wickets in his 19-year career. Akram was complete in himself as his mastery of conventional and reverse swing, average of 23.52, and economy rate of 3.89 were all trademark weapons. Devastating yorkers and subtle variations kept confounding batsmen enough to gift him five five-wicket hauls and best bowling figures in odi of 5/15. The Pakistani legend influenced far beyond numbers and inspired a generation of left-arm fast bowlers. Waqqar Younis (416 wickets) Image Source: CricTracker The master of reverse swing and yorkers netted 416 wickets with a mind-blowing average of 23.84. Waqar, who played for 14 years (1989-2003), did bring in 7 five-wicket hauls, the best being 7/36. Despite an economy rate a shade on the higher side at 4.68, Waqar boasts a strike rate of 30.52-one of the best bowling figures in odi. In fact, Waqar-Akram is considered cricket's most menacing bowling combination. Also Read | 5 Actors Who Could Play Yuvraj Singh in His Biopic: Perfect Casting Chaminda Vaas (400 wickets) Image Source: Malinda Words Sri Lanka's best fast bowler made the best bowling figures in odi of 400 wickets through consistent performances in 322 matches. A bowler with impeccable control, Vaas's left-arm swing bowling ensured his economy rate was 4.18 and average 27.53. His 8/19 remain the best bowling performance in ODIs ever. With eight five-wicket hauls, Vaas proved the master with old as well as new ball. Shahid Afridi (395 wickets) Image Source: Times of India The erstwhile versatile player became an outright wicket-taker with 395 wickets taken through fast leg spin. Afridi started off from 1996 till the last in 2015; 7 five-wicket hauls and best bowling figures in odi of 7/12 were in his kitty. With his speed and flat trajectory, very rare for a leg-spinner, he presented an economy rate of 4.62 and an average of 34.51. Being capable of breaking partnerships made him a key player in Pakistan's bowling line-up. Shaun Pollock (393 wickets) Image Source: 7cric South Africa's metronomic fast bowler claimed 393 wickets by precision and consistency. Pollock boasts of an economy rate of 3.67 and average of 24.50, which makes him a jewel of control. He claimed 6 five-wicket hauls with best bowling figures in odi of 6/35. The torrid pacer was the nightmare of batsmen in powerplay overs as he could swing the ball both ways and still delivered his punches in accurate lines. Glenn McGrath (381 wickets) Image Source: Cricketnmore Australia's most successful ODI fast bowler with 381 scalps at a great average of 22.02, McGrath, who maintained a wonderful accuracy and gets the wickets with the bounce, accounted for seven five-for hauls that includes the best bowling figures in odi of 7/15. With an economy rate of 3.88, he has been a performer on the biggest stage, emerging as one of the most bankable bowlers in ODI cricket. Brett Lee(380 wickets) Image Source: Jagran English The pacer tormented batsmen for 12 years by picking up 380 wickets at an average of 23.36. The combination of extreme pace and yorkers fetched Lee five five-wicket hauls and best bowling figures in odi of 5/22. At his high speed bowling, he maintained a respectable economy rate of 4.76. His strike rate of 29.43 is a class record among the lots who have picked up more than 300 wickets. Lasith Malinga (338 wickets) Image Source: Cricket Times Sri Lanka's sling-arm sensation bagged 338 wickets with his unusual bowling action and lethal yorkers. Malinga's career economy rate of 5.35 speaks volumes about the tricky periods he bowled most of his cricket. His 6 five-wicket hauls, which include best bowling figures in odi of 6/38, speak about his capacity to take batting lineups apart. Malinga perfected the yorker and slower ball and sent that art into a different dimension altogether in death bowling in ODIs. Anil Kumble (337 wickets) Image Source: India TV News India's frontline spinner, instead of many spin, put emphasis on line and length, accounting for 337 wickets. Kumble economy was at 4.30 and average a mere 30.89 in 271 matches. He was as true to type when getting his best bowling figures in odi of 6/12 with patient application and craft. Kumble's method of persisting with dot balls and never giving the batsman a free hit made him precious, especially in middle overs. Sanath Jayasuriya (323 wickets) Image Source: Cricket Times Explosive all-rounder, he added substantially with his left-arm spin that had 323 victims in his bag. Jayasuriya's fast arm action and variations did bestow upon him six five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/29. Even though he was mostly known for his batting prowess, the bowling average of 36.75 and economy rate of 4.78 made a treasure out of his fifth bowling option for Sri Lanka. Shakib Al Hasan (317 wickets) Image Source: Cricket Times As far as Bangladesh's best all-rounder goes, Shakib Al Hasan comes as a left-handed bowler with a quick intelligent left-arm spin. Shakib is almost an excellent containment bowler with an average of 29.52 and economy rate of 4.46 in his entire career. Shakib Al Hasan has stood behind five five-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures in odi of 5/29. On subcontinental pitches, Shakib is quite deadly due to his precision and subtle variations on pitches. Javagal Srinath (315 wickets) Image Source: The Quint India's spearhead grabbed 315 wickets purely through sheer pace and determination. Srinath's average of 28.08 with an economy rate of 4.44 indicates his effectiveness under any condition. The 5 five-wicket hauls, which include best bowling figures in odi of 5/23, through consistent pace and movement are testimony to his abilities. What set him apart, however, is his ability to generate the right amount of bounce on subcontinental pitches. Also Read | Ajay Jadeja Net Worth: From Cricket Legend to Royal Heir Daniel Vettori (305 wickets) Image Source: ZAP Cricket Flair and guile helped New Zealand's left-arm spinner amass 305 wickets. His economy rate of 4.12 and the best figures of 5/7 only speak to his control and wicket-taking capability. His 5 five-wicket hauls came through subtle variations in pace and trajectory.Vettori's accuracy and intelligence made him particularly effective in containing runs during middle overs. Shane Warne (293 wickets) Image Source: ZAP Cricket He took loads of 293 wickets in ODIs with his variations that left batters stunned. Warne's average of 25.73 and economy rate of 4.25 tell the tale of his abilities in the limited-overs format. He has taken 5 five-wicket hauls, which included best bowling figures in odi of 5/33, whereby he can turn matches. He did not have a long run in ODIs in comparison with many of his era; however, he made his mark on the format. Conclusion: These bowling legends have not only set fabulous records but also changed the game of modern cricket. Their diverse skills-from devastating pace to cunning spin-have enriched the sport and set benchmarks that continue to inspire upcoming bowlers. Even as some of these records are likely to stay there for quite a few years to come, the influence on cricket is much greater than just simple numbers because they also had an impact on how ODI bowling evolved.