The 7 best strike rates in ODI cricket – Dilshan Madushanka better than Mohammed Shami

Jonhenry Wilson 26 Feb 2025

Dilshan Madushanka has one of the best strike rates in ODI cricket.

Taking wickets is critical in ODI cricket as it keeps the pressure on and interrupts momentum. The key to building a big innings or a successful chase is partnerships, and if bowlers can break those, then wins, more often than not, are around the corner.

There are two metrics used for measuring bowling success: average and strike rate. Average is the old-school favourite and has been tracked since the beginning of time. But strike rate is equally important—it is the other side of the coin.

The more frequently a bowler can take a wicket, the more wickets they will take—and even if they are a little expensive in getting those wickets, the objective is to take ten wickets in an innings.

With that in mind, who are the bowlers with the best ODI strike rates? Let’s take a look (the minimum number of wickets to qualify here is 40).

7. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan) – 127 wickets | Strike rate: 25.88

Still only 24-years-old it feels like he has been around forever. The Pakistan left-arm sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi has established himself as one of the most potent new-ball bowlers in world cricket.

With his ability to swing the ball both ways and to generate steepling bounce, Afridi’s strike rate of 25.88 is testament to his ability to break crucial partnerships.

6. Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal) – 121 wickets | Strike rate: 25.80

Not a name that will be familiar to everyone, Lamichhane is a star from affiliate nation, Nepal. The leg-spin wizard, Sandeep Lamichhane, has made a name for himself despite playing for an emerging cricketing nation.

His variations and control make him a consistent wicket-taker, and a strike rate of 25.80 underlines his effectiveness in dismantling batting line-ups. A quality bowler the bulk of Lamichhane’s wickets have come against other affiliate nations.

Also read: Most runs in career in ODIs – can anyone beat Sachin Tendulkar?

5. Mohammed Shami (India) – 200 wickets | Strike rate: 25.68

One of India’s finest pacers in recent years, Mohammed Shami has been a key component of India’s ODI attack. His ability to generate seam movement at high speeds makes him a dangerous bowler at any stage of the innings.

With 200 wickets and a strike rate of 25.68, Shami continues to be a lethal weapon for India. Still playing actively, Shami failed to pick up a wicket last time out, in Sunday’s big Champions Trophy encounter against Pakistan.

4. Bilal Khan (Oman) – 101 wickets | Strike rate: 24.85

Bilal Khan, Oman’s left-arm pacer, has been a revelation in Associate cricket. His pace and accuracy have made him a standout performer, and his strike rate of 24.85 shows his ability to make inroads even against higher-ranked teams.

Born in Peshawar in Pakistan, Khan is a naturalised Omani. Although he is no express pace, he is renowned on the associate circuit for his ability to bowl in swinging yorkers at the tail end of innings.

3. Corey Anderson (New Zealand) – 60 wickets | Strike rate: 24.75

All-rounder Corey Anderson was probably better known for his batting prowess, be he was also highly effective as an ODI bowler for New Zealand.

His knack for breaking partnerships and his ability to extract movement off the pitch earned him 60 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 24.75. He has since gone on to play international cricket for the United States of America.

2. Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) – 45 wickets | Strike rate: 24.53

A rising star in Sri Lanka cricket, Dilshan Madushanka has showcased his ability to take wickets at regular intervals. With just 45 wickets so far, his strike rate of 24.53 suggests a promising future ahead for the young pacer.

To date he has played just 26 ODI’s, one Test and 15 T20I.

1. Ryan Harris (Australia) – 44 wickets | Strike rate: 23.43

Topping the list is Australia’s Ryan Harris, a bowler known for his pace, accuracy, and relentless aggression. A late comer to the international scene, Harris was 30 when he made his ODI debut for Australia.

Despite playing only a handful of ODIs (he played 21), his strike rate of 23.43 demonstrates his knack for making breakthroughs quickly and efficiently.