How is bowling speed measured in cricket?

The speed of the balls from the pacers is measured using the radar speed guns, which track the ball’s velocity right after it leaves the hands of the bowler. However, the calibration and technology across venues can differ, affecting the pace.

Why is it so difficult to bowl above 160 km/h?

It’s hard to cross the 160-kmph pace for any bowler because of the rare combination of strength, technique, flexibility, and biomechanics. Moreover, these days, due to so much cricket, the bowlers tend to burn out.

Can Shoaib Akhtar’s record be broken in the future?

With the kind of modern training and improved fitness levels, modern bowlers may break the record in the future. However, it won’t be easy as it will require exceptional physical ability.

Who bowled the fastest ball in cricket history for India?

For the Indian side, Umran Malik holds the record for the fastest ball of nearly 155 kmph in international cricket. In the IPL, he once bowled at 157 kmph during the 2022 season.

Top 10 fastest balls In cricket history

Cricket has always celebrated skill, endurance, and precision- none of this excites the fans like raw pace. The sight of a fast bowler- charging in, with the big strides on the ground, generating extreme speed, and delivering a thunderbolt- stuns the batters in one of the most thrilling aspects of the game. From Australia to Pakistan, these bowlers excite the spectators.

Over the years, the fans have been fascinated not just by the wickets, but also by the speed guns flashing the eye-watering numbers that redefine what seems possible. Among all the moments, one question continues to echo through the generations of game lovers.

The raw pace has pushed the bowlers beyond limits as the fiery spells keep coming from the 1970s to the modern era, with more advanced fitness and biomechanics. Despite all the technological progress, one name still stands tall at the summit of speed.

During the ODI World Cup 2003 clash, Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar put up an astonishing 161.3 kmph, the fastest ball ever recorded in international cricket. The delivery shocked everyone. It wasn’t just a number on the speed gun but a moment of redefining fast bowling.

Ranking the quickest deliveries ever bowled in cricket history

Akhtar wasn’t, however, alone in the race. Some legends like Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Jeff Thomson, or Mitchell Starc have come close to the 158 kmph barrier, pushing the boundaries of what a human can deliver. These bowlers don’t just dominate or intimidate, but they leave a lasting mark.

Here is a dive into the extraordinary deliveries that made the fans stand on their feet and the batters survive rather than attack. From thunderbolts to near-misses that came close, here is the ultimate journey into the game’s fiercest moments-

#10 Shane Bond- 156.4 kmph (97.1 mph) vs India, 2003-

The former New Zealand pacer and coach, Shane Bond, played for the Blackcaps from 2002 to 2010. The right-arm bowler was the fastest in the Kiwis in his time as he troubled many batters in the same manner. His peak came during the ODI World Cup 2003 when he sent the ball flying through at 156.4 kmph against India.

Unfortunately, the gifted bowler found himself under pressure with a list of injuries and managed to take only 87 wickets in 18 Tests at an average of 22.09. In ODIs, he grabbed 147 wickets in 80 innings at an average of under 21 for the New Zealand side. He is also part of the Mumbai Indians’ coaching staff in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

#9 Mohammad Sami- 156.4 kmph (97.1 mph) vs Zimbabwe, 2003-

The right-arm pacer, Mohammad Sami, had both the skills of pace and swing. He made his debut with a five-wicket haul during a Test match against the Blackcaps and went on to become the second-fastest bowler in the country’s history. Sami holds the unique record of being the only bowler to have a hat-trick in all formats of the game.

Sami’s ultimate pace was 156.4 kmph against Zimbabwe during an ODI clash in Dubai in 2003. The fast bowler also picked up 85 wickets in 66 innings of the red-ball format, along with 142 wickets in the two white-ball formats of the game.

#8 Mitchell Johnson- 156.8 kmph (97.4 mph) vs England, 2013-

The left-arm fast bowler of the Australian side, Mitchell Johnson, went with the fastest ball of 156.8 kmph against England on the third day of the fourth Ashes 2013/14 Test match down under in December 2013. He is one of the most decorated players of Australia and the world with his brutal pace.

Johnson finished his career with 313 wickets in 140 innings of the longest format at an average of 28.40 and a strike rate of 51.10, while in the ODIs, he grabbed 239 wickets in 150 innings at an average of 25.26.

#7 Fidel Edwards- 157.7 kmph (97.9 mph) vs South Africa, 2003-

The former West Indies fast bowler, Fidel Edwards, was known for his unique and explosive action, creating issues for the batters. The 44-year-old earned 165 wickets in 97 innings of the Test format for the West Indies at an average of 37.87, besides 60 wickets in 49 ODI innings at 30.20.

His fastest delivery of 157.7 kmph came in the very first year of his international career, against South Africa in 2003. It happened during the clash against South Africa. He played his last for the West Indies in 2012.

#6 Andy Roberts (West Indies)- 159.5 kmph (99.1 mph) vs Australia, 1975-

The former pacer of the West Indies, Andy Roberts, is a part of the legendary pace quartet. He was one of the fastest international bowlers in the heyday back in the 70s. Roberts, now 75 years old, ended his career with 202 wickets in 90 innings of Test at an average of 25.61 and an economy rate of 2.78. He also had 87 wickets in 56 ODIs at 20.35.

Roberts’ fastest delivery in his career was at 159.5 kmph against Australia in 1975. He also played for the Hampshire and Leicestershire sides in England and was also inducted into the US Cricket Hall of Fame in 2005.

#5 Mitchell Starc- 160.4 kmph (99.7 mph) vs New Zealand, 2015-

The left-arm pacer of the Australian side, Mitchell Starc, is one of the fastest bowlers in the world, with the speeds regularly hovering around 146 kph. The New South Wales pacer is famous for his fast and in-swinging yorkers, as the fastest delivery in his career was against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test in 2015.

The 36-year-old has taken 433 wickets in 202 innings of the Test matches at an average of 26.51 and a strike rate of 46.20, with 18 five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figures of 7/58 in an innings. The Sydney-born has also collected 247 wickets in the ODIs at an average of 23.58.

#4 Jeff Thomson- 160.6 kmph (99.8 mph) vs West Indies, 1975-

The former pacer of the Australian side, Jeff Thomson, was perhaps the most fearsome bowler in his career, spanning from 1972 to 1985. His fastest delivery came against the West Indies in Perth in 1975, which was at 160.6 kmph. Thomson and his fellow countryman, Dennis Lillee, partnered to be the most feared bowling combo in international cricket.

Thomson picked up 200 wickets in 90 innings of the longest format at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 52.60, with eight five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figures of 6/46 in an innings. He has bagged 55 wickets in 50 innings of the ODI format at an average of 35.30.

#3 Brett Lee- 160.8 kmph (99.9 mph) vs New Zealand, 2015-

The former pacer of the Australian side, Brett Lee, is one of the most aggressive bowlers of the game across the three formats. He has picked up 310 wickets in 76 Test matches at an average of around 31, while in the ODIs, he picked up 380 wickets in 217 innings at an average of 23.36 and a strike rate of 29.40.

Lee, who helped Australia win the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup titles, bowled his fastest delivery against the Blackcaps in Napier in 2005 as he was the very first bowler to pick up a hat-trick in the T20Is.

#2 Shaun Tait- 161.1 kmph (100.1 mph) vs England, 2010-

Shaun Tait is another fast bowler who bowls with full pace and aggression and was so lethal with the ball. He bowled for the Australian side between 2006 and 2016. His fastest delivery was against the England side at Lord’s in 2010, as he was a coveted player in franchise cricket, playing for many sides.

Tait has picked up 62 wickets in 34 innings of the ODI format at an average of 23.56, while in T20Is, he has bagged 28 wickets in 21 innings at an economy rate of 7.39.

#1 Shoaib Akhtar- 161.3 kmph (100.2 mph) vs England, 2003-

Renowned as the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar was a nightmare for the batters with his lethal pace and aggression. He was the first bowler to break the 100-mph barrier. His fastest delivery of the game was against England in the 2003 ODI World Cup.

Shoaib picked up 178 wickets in 82 innings of the Test matches at an average of 25.69 and a strike rate of 45.70 for Pakistan, along with his 247 wickets in 162 innings of the ODI format at an average of 24.97 and a strike rate of 31.40.