The fastest ball in cricket history was bowled by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar. He shocked the world by bowling at 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England during the 2003 ICC World Cup. Even today in 2025, no one has broken this record.
Here, we’ll look at the top 15 fastest balls ever bowled in cricket. These bowlers used speed, skill, and courage to scare batsmen and break records. Fast bowling is not just about speed it’s about control, pressure, and making the batter nervous. Let’s meet the fastest bowlers the world has ever seen.
Top 15 Fastest Ball in Cricket History
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (Pakistan)
Shoaib Akhtar, also called the “Rawalpindi Express,” bowled the fastest ball in cricket history. He did it against England during the 2003 ICC World Cup. This special delivery reached 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph), which is still the fastest ever recorded.
Shoaib was known for his long run-up and fiery speed, often bowling over 150 km/h. His fast bowling and fearless attitude made him a legend in the cricket world.
2. Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/h (Australia)
Shaun Tait, known as “The Wild Thing,” was one of the fastest bowlers from Australia. In a match against England in 2010, he bowled at a speed of 161.1 km/h one of the fastest balls ever recorded. Even though he had some injuries and didn’t always play many matches, his fast bowling made him a big name in one-day and T20 cricket.
3. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h (Australia)
Brett Lee was one of Australia’s fastest and most accurate bowlers. He bowled his quickest ball at 161.1 km/h during a match against New Zealand in 2005 at Napier. Lee wasn’t just fast he could also swing the ball and bowl with great control. His speed and skill helped Australia stay on top in world cricket for many years.
4. Jeff Thomson – 160.6 km/h (Australia)
In the 1970s, Jeff Thomson was one of the scariest fast bowlers in cricket. He had a special slinging action that made the ball fly at great speed. In 1975, during a match against the West Indies, he bowled a delivery at 160.6 km/h. Thomson played a big part in making Australia famous for its fast bowling.
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h (Australia)
Mitchell Starc is a fast left-arm bowler from Australia, known for his deadly yorkers and high speed. In 2015, during a match against New Zealand, he bowled his fastest delivery at 160.4 km/h.
The ball was fast and swung at the last moment, making it very hard to hit. Starc’s speed and skill have made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in today’s game.
6. Andy Roberts – 159.5 km/h (West Indies)
Sir Andy Roberts was one of the fastest bowlers from the West Indies. He was part of their famous pace team and known for bowling two types of tricky bouncers. In 1975, he bowled at a speed of 159.5 km/h against Australia. His smart bowling and clever tricks made him stand out as one of the best fast bowlers of his time.
7. Lockie Ferguson – 157.3 km/h (New Zealand)
Lockie Ferguson is one of the fastest bowlers from New Zealand. In IPL 2022, he bowled a delivery at 157.3 km/h—the fastest ever by a New Zealand player. His smooth action and fast bouncers make him a strong and dangerous bowler in one-day and T20 cricket.
8. Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h (West Indies)
Fidel Edwards was a fast bowler from the West Indies, known for his short run-up and big speed. He was first noticed by Brian Lara in the practice nets. In 2003, during a match against South Africa, he bowled a super-fast delivery at 157.7 km/h. Even with a small run-up, he showed that you don’t need a big build to bowl with serious pace.
9. Mitchell Johnson – 156.8 km/h (Australia)
Mitchell Johnson was a fast and aggressive bowler from Australia. In the 2013 Ashes series, he bowled at a speed of 156.8 km/h and scared many England batters with his bounce and speed. Johnson took 313 wickets in Test matches and became known for his fiery bowling that made life hard for every batsman he faced.
10. Mohammad Sami – 156.4 km/h (Pakistan)
Mohammad Sami was a fast bowler from Pakistan who many thought would follow in Shoaib Akhtar’s footsteps. In 2003, he bowled his fastest delivery at 156.4 km/h against Zimbabwe. Even though his career had some good and bad moments, his speed was always something special.
11. Shane Bond – 156.4 km/h (New Zealand)
Shane Bond was a super-fast bowler from New Zealand. In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, he bowled a delivery at 156.4 km/h. He was not only quick but also very accurate. Even though injuries stopped him from playing for a long time, Bond is still remembered as one of New Zealand’s best fast bowlers.
12. Anrich Nortje – 156.2 km/h (South Africa)
Nortje made headlines in IPL 2020, bowling at 156.2 km/h for Delhi Capitals. Known for his ability to maintain speed across overs, Nortje is among the new-gen speedsters redefining pace bowling.
13. Nantie Hayward – 154.4 km/h (South Africa)
Hayward was part of South Africa’s fast bowling depth in the early 2000s. He bowled his fastest delivery at 154.4 km/h against India. While his international career was brief, his speed remains noteworthy.
14. Jason Gillespie – 153.9 km/h (Australia)
Often in the background of McGrath and Lee, Gillespie was a silent warrior. His fastest delivery at 153.9 km/h combined speed with stamina and control, playing a critical support role in Australia’s pace unit.
15. Irfan Pathan – 153.7 km/h (India)
Famed for his left-arm swing, Pathan could also crank up the speed. He bowled at 153.7 km/h and took a memorable hat-trick against Pakistan. His pace and swing made him India’s bowling gem in the mid-2000s.
Fastest Bowlers in India (2025 Update)
India’s fastest-ever is Umran Malik, who bowled at 157 km/h in IPL 2022. Others include:
- Irfan Pathan – 153.7 km/h
- Mohammed Shami – 153.3 km/h
- Jasprit Bumrah – 153.26 km/h
- Navdeep Saini – 152.85 km/h
Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket history?
Shoaib Akhtar, 161.3 km/h vs England (2003).
Who is the fastest Indian bowler?
Umran Malik, 157 km/h in IPL 2022.
What is the fastest ball in IPL history?
Shaun Tait, 157.7 km/h (2011).
