Best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs – Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis at the double

Jonhenry Wilson 26 Feb 2025

Gulbadin Naib took six wickets for Afghanistan against Ireland in Belfast in 2019.

Do you want to know the best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs?

You are in the right place. We have accurate answers for you.

Read on to find out more about the best figures in an innings by a captain in ODI cricket.

9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 5/16

Akram has the ninth best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Akram features twice on this list. The first of the two hauls was against South Africa in East London in 1993.

8. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 5/15

Akram also has the eighth best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. This time Akram was in fine form against Zimbabwe. The year was also 1993, but this time at home in Karachi.

7. Greg Chappell (Australia) – 5/15

Chappell has the seventh best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Australia’s captain at the time was in remarkable form against India in Sydney in 1991.

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

6. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 5/7

Vettori has the sixth best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Arguably one of the most underrated all-rounders in ODI cricket, Vettori showed his prowess with the ball against Bangladesh in Queenstown in 2007.

5. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 6/59

Younis has the fifth best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. He took full advantage of conditions at Trent Bridge in Nottingham against Australia in 2001.

4. Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan) – 6/43

Naib has the fourth best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Naib is the most recent ODI captain to join this list. In 2019, against Ireland in Belfast, he put in an exemplary captain’s display.

3. Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) – 6/43

Bravo has the third best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Another really good all-rounder, Bravo was on point with the ball against Zimbabwe in St George’s in 2013.

2. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 6/41

Richards has the second best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. Richards was more renowned for his skills with the bat than the ball, but in 1989 against India in Delhi, he shone as a bowler.

1. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 7/36

Younis also has the best figures in an innings by a captain in ODIs. He remains the only captain to take a seven-for in an ODI. Younis did this against England in Leeds in 2001.