World Fastest Bowler in the World โ Top 10 Fastest Deliveries Ever Recorded
Cricket is often called a batsman’s game. But when a fast bowler steams in with raw pace, the entire match can shift in a matter of seconds. The margin of error becomes smaller, the pressure rises, and even the best batsmen in the world struggle to react on time. Throughout cricket history, many pacers bowled above 90 mph consistently — but only a few reached speeds that shattered world records.
In this detailed guide, we explore who was the fastest bowler in the world, the top 10 fastest bowler in the world, and the official fast bowlers list with their fastest recorded deliveries.
Raw pace isn’t just speed — it’s intimidation, accuracy, bounce, swing, and mental warfare. The bowlers below mastered all of it.
Why Bowling Speed Matters in Cricket
A fast bowler always needs accuracy, seam movement and bounce. But when you add extreme pace, even a world-class batter can make mistakes. Deliveries above 150 km/h force batters to react in milliseconds, and this is where legends like Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait dominated the sport.
Only a handful of bowlers have ever crossed the 100 mph (161 km/h) mark in cricket history — and they are the ones featured in the top rankings.
3. Shaun Tait (161.1 km/h) – Australia
Former Australian pacer Shaun Tait ranks third on the list of the world fastest bowler. Known for his slingy action and fierce pace, Tait regularly bowled above 150 km/h. He made his international debut in 2005 against England and quickly gained attention for his natural speed.
His fastest delivery — 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) — came against England, making him one of only three bowlers to officially break the 100 mph barrier. He repeated the feat again in a T20I against Pakistan in Melbourne.
Although his international career was relatively short due to injuries and inconsistency, his raw pace is still remembered. Many fans consider him among the top fastest bowler in the world during his peak.
2. Brett Lee (161.1 km/h) – Australia
When discussing the greatest fast bowlers, Brett Lee is always part of the conversation. During the 2000s, he was the heart of Australia’s lethal pace attack and one of the few bowlers who could consistently bowl over 150 km/h.
He delivered one of the fastest balls ever — 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) — against New Zealand at Napier in 2005. His smooth run-up, perfect wrist position, and accuracy made him a nightmare for batsmen.
Lee was:
- One of the most successful limited-over bowlers
- A key reason behind Australia’s dominance
- The second man ever to cross the 100 mph mark
Even today, fans debate who is fastest bowler in the world, and Brett Lee’s name always appears near the top because of his consistency and legendary performances.
1. Shoaib Akhtar (161.3 km/h) – Pakistan
The undisputed world no 1 fast bowler and the answer to the question —
“Who was the fastest bowler in the world?”
is Shoaib Akhtar.
Nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar terrified batters with his long run-up, explosive action, and unmatched aggression. In 2003 against England at Cape Town, he bowled the fastest delivery ever recorded:
161.3 km/h (100.2 mph)
This record still stands today.
His pace, combined with his ability to swing the ball, made him one of the most feared bowlers in cricket history. Akhtar took:
- 178 Test wickets
- 247 ODI wickets
Though injuries shortened his career, his legacy as the most fastest bowler in the world remains untouched.
Top 10 Fastest Bowler in the World – Complete Fast Bowlers List
Below is the official list of the fastest ball in cricket history, featuring the highest speeds ever recorded:
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Fastest Ball | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph) | England | 2003 |
| 2 | Brett Lee | Australia | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | New Zealand | 2005 |
| 3 | Shaun Tait | Australia | 161.1 km/h (100.1 mph) | England | 2010 |
| 4 | Jeffrey Thomson | Australia | 160.6 km/h (99.8 mph) | West Indies | 1975 |
| 5 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 160.4 km/h (99.7 mph) | New Zealand | 2015 |
| 6 | Andy Roberts | West Indies | 159.5 km/h (99.1 mph) | Australia | 1975 |
| 7 | Fidel Edwards | West Indies | 157.7 km/h (97.9 mph) | South Africa | 2003 |
| 8 | Mitchell Johnson | Australia | 156.8 km/h (97.4 mph) | England | 2013 |
| 9 | Mohammad Sami | Pakistan | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| 10 | Shane Bond | New Zealand | 156.4 km/h (97.1 mph) | India | 2003 |
This top 10 fastest bowler in the world list proves one thing: only the rarest talents can generate extreme pace while maintaining control.
Why This List Matters
Fans love to debate:
- who is fastest bowler in the world today?
- who was the fastest bowler of all time?
- who can break the 161.3 km/h record?
But pace bowling is more than speed alone. It’s a combination of:
- Technique
- Fitness
- Adrenaline
- Risk of injury
This is why only a few bowlers ever touched the 160 km/h mark.
Conclusion
The title of world fastest bowler in the world still belongs to Shoaib Akhtar, and more than two decades later, no one has surpassed his iconic 161.3 km/h thunderbolt. Brett Lee and Shaun Tait complete the elite 100 mph club — a group that symbolizes fearlessness and raw talent.
As new generations of pacers rise, the world continues to watch whether anyone can break this legendary record. Until then, these speedsters remain immortal in cricket history.
