Top five wicket takers in ODI World Cup history

ODI World Cup 2023 has been a haven for lovers of statistics for the cricket fans who love their numbers. The batters this year have shown their class with Glenn Maxwell scoring the first double ton for a middle-order batter. The bowlers too have left their mark creating several records along the way during the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign.

Advertisment

As we head into the final stretch of the tournament, there is a rush to finish at the top of the table for both the batters and the bowlers. Several bowlers are playing in the ODI World Cup 2023 who want to up the ladder as far as the leading wicket-takers are concerned.

Here are the five all-time leading wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history

5. Wasim Akram, Pakistan – 55 Wickets

Advertisment

The former Pakistani skipper played a huge role in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph in the final. Wasim Akram picked the wickets of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis giving his side the first World Cup trophy. Wasim Akram played a total of 38 World Cup games and picked 55 wickets with a best of 5/28 which was recorded against Namibia in the 2003 World Cup.

Advertisment

4. Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka – 56 Wickets

The former Lankan pace ace was a special bowler not only for his country but also in the cricketing world. Lasith Malinga is at the 4th spot as far as the leading wicket-takers in ODI Cricket World Cup history go. In his 29 games, Lasith Malinga picked 56 wickets with a best of 6/38 against Kenya in Colombo. Malinga is also remembered for four wickets in four balls versus South Africa in the 2007 ODI World Cup.

3. Mitchell Starc, Australia – 59 Wickets

One of the best pace bowlers of the current era, Mitchell Starc is number three in the all-time leading wicket-takers in ODI World Cup history. The left-arm pacer has 59 wickets from 26 games with a best of 62/28 against New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup.

2. Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka – 68 Wickets

Possibly the greatest spin bowler of all time, there is no bowling record that the Sri Lankan great doesn’t hold. Despite his tall achievements Murali as he is fondly called finds himself 2nd in the all-time leading wicket-takers list in ODI World Cup history. A member of the 1996 World Cup winning team, Muralitharan has picked 68 wickets from 40 games for his national side.

1. Glenn McGrath, Australia – 71 Wickets

It comes as no surprise that former Australian legend Glenn McGrath tops this list. With 71 wickets from 39 games, Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history. His best bowling figures of 7/15 came against Namibia during the 2003 ODI World Cup tournament.