No Indians but 2 Pakistanis! Zaheer Khan picks top 5 ODI bowlers of all time

Legendary India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has picked his top five bowlers in ODI cricket. Surprisingly, the list didn't have the names of modern-day fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc.

Zaheer Khan didn't name any Indian player in this list and picked two bowlers from Pakistan. Those two bowlers are Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, who ruled the cricketing world with their exceptional talent and skills.

The other three bowlers in this list are Glenn McGrath, Chaminda Vaas, and Dale Steyn. Surprisingly, all the bowlers in this list are fast bowlers as Zaheer only went for the quicks and the spinners didn't find any place.

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Zaheer Khan picks Wasim Akram, and Glenn McGrath among his top ODI bowlers

While speaking to Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan picked his top five ODI bowlers just days before the Champions Trophy 2025 begins. He started with Wasim Akram and spoke about his variations which made him such a skilful bowler.

"Wasim Akram was one of those names who was impactful in this format with his variations, those yorkers, going around the wicket, over the wicket, using slower ones. In this format, he has had a huge impact," he said.

"I happened to meet him. A lot of the senior guys told me that this is one guy you have to go and have a conversation with. It was a great conversation with him, I remember," Zaheer added.

The former India quick was also impressed with Glenn McGrath's incredible numbers in ODIs. McGrath didn't bowl with much pace but his relentless accuracy made him a threat on any pitch in the world.

"The another name which I really looked up to was Glenn McGrath. The accuracy that he had and the simplicity in the action, the extra bounce and the impact with the new ball was something very evident right throughout his career across all formats," said Zaheer.

Wasim Akram, Dale Steyn… and 3️⃣ more legends 🤔

Who made it to @ImZaheer Top-5 ODI bowler's list? Find out here👇#ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/bH1CVe8xUR

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 15, 2025

Waqar Younis and Chaminda Vaas

The second Pakistani in this list is Waqar Younis. Zaheer Khan spoke about his incredible strike rate and fearless mindset. He even advised the current crop of bowlers to learn about this mindset in order to be successful.

"Let's talk about Waqar Younis as well. If you look at his numbers, they are right up there, especially the strike rates, the fifers that he has taken right throughout his career. The impact was phenomenal in terms of striking ability.

"He was not afraid for going for runs. That's the mindset that maybe the modern-day bowlers also should take from. I was looking for those kinds of aspects to bring into my bowling," the former India pacer said.

Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas also found a place on this list because of his ability to do well in unhelpful conditions in the subcontinent. He also remembered a moment when he had a conversation with the Sri Lanka great in the past.

"Chaminda Vaas has to be right up there. I remember playing a World XI game in Australia when I was with him. He was sharing with me how to bowl cutters. It was a good conversation I remember with him. His impact was pretty much with the new ball.

"In subcontinent conditions to have that kind of accuracy, keeping things simple and he was very impactful with giving that control to his team with line, length, accuracy, and consistency," he noted.

Zaheer Khan recalls a conversation with Dale Steyn

Zaheer Khan concluded the list with the addition of Dale Steyn in this list. Steyn has an exceptional record across formats and was a genuine wicket-taker. Zaheer spoke about Steyn's ability to swing the ball at a fast pace which made it difficult for the batters to read him.

"Dale Steyn, we all know, with his fiery approach, fast outswingers, is something that the impact was always there. He used to get through the crease very faster and had impact through and through," Zaheer said.

"In franchise cricket in 2008, I happened to spend time with him, some interesting conversations around fast bowling. One incident I remember when I was just having a chat with him in terms of getting the ball come back into the right-hander," he recalled.

All these bowlers were picked without giving numbers. All of them were exceptional bowlers during their time and achieved many accomplishments in their respective careers. Their varied skills and relentless accuracy made them one of the greatest of all time.

Zaheer Khan's ODI numbers

Zaheer Khan himself is regarded as one of the greatest ODI bowlers of all time. The left-arm seamer was the spearhead of India's bowling attack during his time.

Zaheer played 200 ODIs and picked up 282 wickets at an average of 29.43 and an economy rate of less than 5. He played a key role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph and emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.