Fastest Ball in Cricket History – Top 10 Fastest Deliveries Ever Recorded
Speed has always been one of cricket’s most thrilling elements. Fast bowlers who consistently touch 150 kmph are considered elite — but only a few have managed to cross the 160 kmph mark. Cricket fans often ask one simple question:
Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket?
Let’s explore official records, viral claims like 175 kph and 181 kph, ICC-confirmed fastest deliveries, and the top-ranked bowlers in cricket history.
What Is the Fastest Ball Ever Bowled in Cricket?
The fastest ball in cricket history was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) at a speed of 161.3 kmph (100.23 mph) against England during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in Cape Town.
This delivery is officially recognized by the ICC, making Shoaib Akhtar the fastest bowler in cricket history.
Top 10 Fastest Ball in Cricket History
| Rank | Bowler | Speed | Against | Year | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) | 161.3 kmph | England | 2003 | ODI |
| 2 | Shaun Tait (Australia) | 161.1 kmph | England | 2010 | ODI |
| 3 | Brett Lee (Australia) | 161.1 kmph | New Zealand | 2005 | ODI |
| 4 | Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 160.4 kmph | New Zealand | 2015 | Test |
| 5 | Jeff Thomson (Australia) | 160.6 kmph* | West Indies | 1975 | Test |
| 6 | Andy Roberts (West Indies) | 159.5 kmph | Australia | 1975 | Test |
| 7 | Fidel Edwards (West Indies) | 157.7 kmph | South Africa | 2003 | Test |
| 8 | Mitchell Johnson (Australia) | 156.8 kmph | England | 2013 | Test |
| 9 | Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) | 156.4 kmph | Zimbabwe | 2003 | ODI |
| 10 | Shane Bond (New Zealand) | 156.4 kmph | India | 2003 | ODI |
*Unofficial speed measurement due to old technology.
Fastest Ball in Cricket 175 kph – Is It Real?
Many viral posts claim that Mitchell Starc or Jasprit Bumrah bowled at 175 kmph. However:
Read Also: Did Mitchell Starc Really Bowl at 175 kmph?
❌ No official ICC or Hawk-Eye data confirms any 175 kph delivery.
✅ Such claims are usually due to fake edited videos or faulty speed guns.
Fastest Ball in Cricket History ICC Record
The ICC officially recognizes only recorded and verified deliveries.
✅ Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 kmph remains the fastest ICC-verified ball in cricket history.
2nd Fastest Ball in Cricket History
The second-fastest delivery is shared between:
- Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 kmph vs England (2010)
- Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 kmph vs New Zealand (2005)
Both came extremely close but did not surpass Shoaib Akhtar.
Read Also: Cricket Introduces New Format ‘Test Twenty’ — A Hybrid of Test and T20 Cricket to Launch in 2026
Fastest Ball in Cricket 181 kph – Fact or Myth?
Claims of 181 kmph delivery are completely false.
No bowler in cricket history has ever crossed 165 kmph officially.
Such high-speed numbers often come from YouTube clickbait or social media rumors.
Fastest Ball in Cricket 164 kph – Who Bowled It?
Several bowlers have bowled in the 164 kmph range, including:
- Mohammad Sami (Pakistan) – 164+ kmph (unofficial, often debated)
- Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson have crossed 160+ kmph multiple times.
However, Shoaib Akhtar, Lee, and Tait remain the only officially verified 160+ bowlers.
Top 20 Fastest Ball in Cricket History
If extended beyond the top 10, bowlers like Waqar Younis, Dale Steyn, Jofra Archer, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Wood, and Umran Malik would join the list with speeds ranging from 153–156 kmph.
World Fastest Bowler Ranking
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Fastest Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 161.3 kmph |
| 2 | Shaun Tait | Australia | 161.1 kmph |
| 3 | Brett Lee | Australia | 161.1 kmph |
| 4 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 160.4 kmph |
| 5 | Jeff Thomson | Australia | 160.6 kmph (Unverified)* |
Fastest Ball in Cricket History (Alternate Queries)
People also search:
- “Who was the fastest bowler in Test cricket?” → Mitchell Starc (160.4 kmph)
- “Who bowled the fastest Yorker?” → Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee
- “Who is currently the fastest active bowler?” → Mitchell Starc / Mark Wood / Lockie Ferguson
Top 10 Fastest Ball in Cricket (Alternate Variation)
This is a repeat keyword variation, so the same table can be reused. It helps Google understand topic relevance across multiple long-tail searches.
Read Also: What Is Test Twenty Format? Full Breakdown of Cricket’s Latest Innovation
Conclusion
The title of the fastest ball in cricket still belongs to Shoaib Akhtar, who bowled 161.3 kmph in 2003. While modern bowlers like Starc, Ferguson, and Umran Malik continue to push boundaries, no one has officially surpassed Akhtar’s legendary speed.
Until someone does, the Rawalpindi Express remains the undisputed king of pace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket history?
Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 kmph vs England in 2003.
2. Did anyone bowl at 175 kmph or 181 kmph?
No. These are fake or unverified claims circulating online.
3. Who is the fastest bowler in Test cricket?
Mitchell Starc – 160.4 kmph vs New Zealand in 2015.
4. Can anyone bowl over 170 kmph?
Human body limitations make it almost impossible without injury.
5. Who is the fastest active bowler today?
Mitchell Starc, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Wood, and Umran Malik are currently among the fastest
