5 Players Who Can Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Record Of Fastest International Delivery

The ability to bowl at lightning-fast speeds has been highly valued in cricket, with fast bowlers such as Jeff Thomson, Dennis Lillee, Shoaib Akhtar, and Brett Lee being regarded as crucial members of their respective teams. 

Some of these exceptional players have made history by bowling the fastest deliveries ever recorded in cricket. Shoaib Akhtar, a former Pakistani fast bowler, holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in international cricket, breaking the 100 mph barrier for the first time against England.

Shoaib Akhtar, who was known as the Rawalpindi Express, holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket, which was clocked at 161.3 km/h (100.2 mph). He achieved this feat during a One-Day International (ODI) match against England in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa. 

There are a few names that can tally similar speed, but there have been a few names that have the speed to match the intensity and bowl a quicker delivery.

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Five Bowlers Who Can Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Record

Anrich Nortje

Nortje has been consistent with his speed as of late and it would not be a big surprise if Nortje somehow managed to click past Shoaib Akhtar’s standing record.

Umran Malik

The young speed gun has been on the radar for every cricket fan as the Jammu and Kashmir pacer has been consistently bowling with a pace over 150. Umran stunned everyone with his explosive pace and made his way into the Indian national side. Umran clocked his career best of 157 kmph and has the potential to keep bowling at a similar or higher pace in his career.

Umran Malik has a sureshot potential for the future and has a long way ahead of him in his career. If Umran can manage his pace and be consistent throughout his career, he has what it takes to surpass Shoaib Akhtar’s record.

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Lockie Ferguson

During the IPL 2022 season, Lockie Ferguson was the fastest bowler, winning the prize for the tournament’s fastest delivery. He achieved this feat by bowling at a speed of 157.3 kmph during the championship game against the Rajasthan Royals. Ferguson is renowned for his rapid pace and demonstrated it on multiple occasions throughout the tournament.

The New Zealand pacer has been one of the fastest bowlers in modern-day cricket and is most likely the biggest threat to Shoaib Akhtar’s standing record of the fastest delivery in cricket history.

Kagiso Rabada

Another name on the list of cricket’s fastest bowlers in modern-day cricket hails from South Africa. Kagiso Rabada is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of the current generation, excelling across all formats of the game. 

Rabada has been a consistent performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well, having taken 25 wickets in just 12 games during the 2019 season. He followed up that impressive performance by winning the coveted purple cap with 30 wickets in the 2020 season, where his fastest delivery was recorded at 154.23 kmph.

Rabada’s exceptional form extends beyond the IPL as well, as he has repeatedly touched the 150 kmph mark and above on several occasions while representing South Africa. With his remarkable talent and impressive track record, Rabada could potentially pose a threat to Shoaib Akhtar’s long-standing record of the fastest delivery in international cricket.

Mitchell Starc

Considered by many to be the current fastest bowler in the world, Mitchell Starc is widely regarded as one of the finest cricketers thanks to his ability to deliver bone-crushing yorkers at incredible speeds. In fact, Starc holds the record for the fastest ball bowled in a Test match, having clocked 160 kmph against Ross Taylor at WACA in Perth in 2015. His average speed typically ranges from 145-152 kmph.

Starc’s exceptional skills have played a crucial role in securing several victories for the Australian team. Even though he is in the latter stages of his career, Starc still possesses the ability to produce one last scorching delivery that could potentially go down in history as the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket and surpass Shoaib Akhtar.

Also Read: 5 Players Who Can Break Virat Kohli’s Record Of Most ODI Cricketer Of The Year Awards

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