Top 10 Pakistani Bowlers of All Time - Updated 2026

Wasim Akram leads the list of Pakistan's finest bowlers, having claimed 916 international wickets across formats. Close behind are Waqar Younis with 789 and Imran Khan with 544 wickets. Pakistan’s bowling history is rich with legends such as Fazal Mahmood, who pioneered swing bowling in the 1950s, and innovators like Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz, who introduced reverse swing. The 1990s saw the rise of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, known for their lethal yorkers and late swing. Shoaib Akhtar, famed for his blistering pace reaching 161.3 km/h, terrified batsmen worldwide.

Spin bowling also has a strong tradition, with masters like Abdul Qadir and Saqlain Mushtaq, the inventor of the doosra. Today’s stars like Shaheen Afridi continue this proud legacy. Pakistan's bowlers remain feared for their ability to combine pace, swing, and spin effectively across all formats.

Top 10 Pakistani Bowlers of All Time (Updated 2025)

• Rank: 1
• Name: Wasim Akram
• Bowling Style: Left-arm fast
• Matches (Intl): 460
• Wickets: 916
• Best Bowling: 7/119 (Test)
• Career Span: 1984–2003

• Rank: 2
• Name: Waqar Younis
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
• Matches (Intl): 349
• Wickets: 789
• Best Bowling: 7/36 (ODI)
• Career Span: 1989–2003

• Rank: 3
• Name: Imran Khan
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
• Matches (Intl): 263
• Wickets: 544
• Best Bowling: 8/58 (Test)
• Career Span: 1971–1992

• Rank: 4
• Name: Shahid Afridi
• Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin
• Matches (Intl): 524
• Wickets: 541
• Best Bowling: 7/12 (ODI)
• Career Span: 1996–2018

• Rank: 5
• Name: Saqlain Mushtaq
• Bowling Style: Right-arm off-spin
• Matches (Intl): 218
• Wickets: 496
• Best Bowling: 8/164 (Test)
• Career Span: 1995–2004

• Rank: 6
• Name: Saeed Ajmal
• Bowling Style: Right-arm off-spin
• Matches (Intl): 212
• Wickets: 447
• Best Bowling: 7/55 (Test)
• Career Span: 2008–2015

• Rank: 7
• Name: Shoaib Akhtar
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
• Matches (Intl): 224
• Wickets: 444
• Best Bowling: 6/11 (ODI)
• Career Span: 1997–2011

• Rank: 8
• Name: Umar Gul
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
• Matches (Intl): 237
• Wickets: 427
• Best Bowling: 6/42 (T20I)
• Career Span: 2003–2016

• Rank: 9
• Name: Abdul Razzaq
• Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
• Matches (Intl): 343
• Wickets: 389
• Best Bowling: 6/35 (ODI)
• Career Span: 1996–2013

• Rank: 10
• Name: Abdul Qadir
• Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin
• Matches (Intl): 171
• Wickets: 368
• Best Bowling: 9/56 (Test)
• Career Span: 1977–1993

Profiles of Selected Pakistani Bowling Legends

10. Abdul Qadir – 368 Wickets

Abdul Qadir revived leg-spin bowling in the 1980s with his googlies and flippers, troubling batsmen worldwide. Across 171 Tests and ODIs, he took 368 wickets at an average of 29.48 and economy of 3.38, achieving 17 five-wicket hauls. His craft inspired future spinners, cementing his place among Pakistan’s best.

• Test Matches: 67
• Wickets: 236
• Best Bowling: 9/56
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 15
• Average: 32.80
• Economy: 2.71
• Strike Rate: 72.4

• ODI Matches: 104
• Wickets: 132
• Best Bowling: 5/44
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 2
• Average: 26.16
• Economy: 4.06
• Strike Rate: 38.6

9. Abdul Razzaq – 389 Wickets

Known for breaking partnerships with smart variations, Abdul Razzaq was crucial in Pakistan’s limited-overs success. Over 343 matches, he took 389 wickets with an average of 29.50 and economy of 4.81. His best bowling was 6/35 in ODIs, highlighting his impact in shorter formats.

• Test Matches: 46
• Wickets: 100
• Best Bowling: 5/35
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 1
• Average: 36.94
• Economy: 2.76
• Strike Rate: 80.3

• ODI Matches: 265
• Wickets: 269
• Best Bowling: 6/35
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 3
• Average: 31.83
• Economy: 4.69
• Strike Rate: 40.7

• T20I Matches: 32
• Wickets: 20
• Best Bowling: 3/13
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 0
• Average: 19.75
• Economy: 6.99
• Strike Rate: 21.0

8. Umar Gul – 427 Wickets

Umar Gul excelled with his deadly yorkers and pace swing, especially in death overs. Across 237 matches, he took 427 wickets at an average of 26.79 and economy rate of 5.29, shining particularly in limited overs.

• Test Matches: 47
• Wickets: 163
• Best Bowling: 6/135
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 4
• Average: 34.06
• Economy: 3.49
• Strike Rate: 58.8

• ODI Matches: 130
• Wickets: 179
• Best Bowling: 6/42
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 2
• Average: 29.34
• Economy: 5.19
• Strike Rate: 33.8

• T20I Matches: 60
• Wickets: 85
• Best Bowling: 5/6
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 2
• Average: 16.97
• Economy: 7.19
• Strike Rate: 14.1

7. Shoaib Akhtar – 444 Wickets

The 'Rawalpindi Express' Shoaib Akhtar bowled some of the fastest deliveries ever recorded, peaking at 161.3 km/h. Despite injuries limiting his matches, he took 444 wickets at 24.46 average and 5.42 economy over 224 matches, with 16 five-wicket hauls.

• Test Matches: 46
• Wickets: 178
• Best Bowling: 6/11
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 12
• Average: 25.69
• Economy: 3.37
• Strike Rate: 45.7

• ODI Matches: 163
• Wickets: 247
• Best Bowling: 6/16
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 4
• Average: 24.97
• Economy: 4.76
• Strike Rate: 31.4

• T20I Matches: 15
• Wickets: 19
• Best Bowling: 3/38
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 0
• Average: 22.73
• Economy: 8.15
• Strike Rate: 16.7

6. Saeed Ajmal – 447 Wickets

Saeed Ajmal was a master of off-spin with tricky variations that troubled batsmen. In 212 matches, he took 447 wickets at an average of 22.88 and economy of 4.37, including 12 five-wicket hauls. His best figures were 7/55 in Tests.

• Test Matches: 35
• Wickets: 178
• Best Bowling: 7/55
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 10
• Average: 28.10
• Economy: 2.58
• Strike Rate: 65.1

• ODI Matches: 113
• Wickets: 184
• Best Bowling: 5/24
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 2
• Average: 22.72
• Economy: 4.18
• Strike Rate: 32.6

• T20I Matches: 64
• Wickets: 85
• Best Bowling: 4/19
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 0
• Average: 17.83
• Economy: 6.36
• Strike Rate: 16.8

5. Saqlain Mushtaq – 496 Wickets

Saqlain Mushtaq changed spin bowling with the doosra, confusing batsmen globally. He took 496 wickets in 218 matches at an average of 25.80 and an economy of 3.46, with 19 five-wicket hauls. His best Test figures were 8/164.

• Test Matches: 49
• Wickets: 208
• Best Bowling: 8/164
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 13
• Average: 29.83
• Economy: 2.64
• Strike Rate: 67.6

• ODI Matches: 169
• Wickets: 288
• Best Bowling: 5/20
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 6
• Average: 21.78
• Economy: 4.29
• Strike Rate: 30.4

4. Shahid Afridi – 541 Wickets

Shahid Afridi, known as 'Boom Boom', was a dynamic all-rounder. His quick leg-spin deliveries and ability to perform under pressure made him a fan favorite. He grabbed 541 wickets in 524 matches with an average of 31.51 and economy of 4.82. His best ODI figures were 7/12.

• Test Matches: 27
• Wickets: 48
• Best Bowling: 5/52
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 1
• Average: 35.60
• Economy: 3.21
• Strike Rate: 66.5

• ODI Matches: 398
• Wickets: 395
• Best Bowling: 7/12
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 9
• Average: 34.51
• Economy: 4.62
• Strike Rate: 44.7

• T20I Matches: 99
• Wickets: 98
• Best Bowling: 4/11
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 0
• Average: 24.44
• Economy: 6.63
• Strike Rate: 22.1

3. Imran Khan – 544 Wickets

Imran Khan was a legendary captain and fast bowler. His leadership and skill with yorkers and reverse swing inspired generations. He took 544 wickets in 263 matches at 24.71 average and 3.21 economy, with 24 five-wicket hauls. His best bowling was 8/58 in Tests.

• Test Matches: 88
• Wickets: 362
• Best Bowling: 8/58
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 23
• Average: 22.81
• Economy: 2.54
• Strike Rate: 53.7

• ODI Matches: 175
• Wickets: 182
• Best Bowling: 6/14
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 1
• Average: 26.61
• Economy: 3.89
• Strike Rate: 40.9

2. Waqar Younis – 789 Wickets

Waqar Younis was known for devastating yorkers and late swing. With 789 wickets in 349 matches, including 373 Tests and 416 ODIs, his 7/36 remains iconic. He was part of the fearsome "Two Ws" alongside Wasim Akram.

• Test Matches: 87
• Wickets: 373
• Best Bowling: 7/76
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 22
• Average: 23.56
• Economy: 3.25
• Strike Rate: 43.4

• ODI Matches: 262
• Wickets: 416
• Best Bowling: 7/36
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 13
• Average: 23.84
• Economy: 4.68
• Strike Rate: 30.5

1. Wasim Akram – 916 Wickets

Wasim Akram, known as the Sultan of Swing, tops this list with 916 wickets in 460 matches. His mastery of reverse swing and yorkers made him a nightmare for batsmen. He took 414 Test wickets and 502 in ODIs with 31 five-wicket hauls overall.

• Test Matches: 104
• Wickets: 414
• Best Bowling: 7/119
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 25
• Average: 23.62
• Economy: 2.59
• Strike Rate: 54.6

• ODI Matches: 356
• Wickets: 502
• Best Bowling: 5/15
• 5-Wicket Hauls: 6
• Average: 23.52
• Economy: 3.89
• Strike Rate: 36.2

Current Top Pakistani Bowler: Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi carries forward Pakistan’s bowling heritage. Since debuting in 2018, he has taken 345 wickets in 174 matches across all formats at an average of 24.88 and economy of 4.61. Known for troubling top batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Shaheen boasts a best bowling figure of 6/35 in ODIs. Related to former star Shahid Afridi, he is expected to climb higher among Pakistan's great bowlers with consistent performances.

How We Ranked Pakistan’s Best Bowlers

• Career Wickets: Total wickets across all international formats to measure impact and longevity.
• Bowling Average & Strike Rate: Efficiency in conceding runs per wicket and frequency of taking wickets.
• Performance in ICC & Big Matches: Ability to deliver in World Cups, Champions Trophy, and high-pressure contests, including India-Pakistan encounters.
• Skill & Innovation: Unique contributions like reverse swing, doosra, or leg-spin variations.
• ICC Rankings & Recognition: Peak rankings, awards, and global acknowledgment from peers and media.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Pakistan’s greatest bowler? Wasim Akram holds that title.
• Which Pakistani bowler has the most ODI wickets? Wasim Akram.
• Who is the best Pakistani T20 bowler? Haris Rauf currently leads.
• Who have been banned Pakistani bowlers? Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif have faced bans.
• What is Pakistan’s fastest bowling record? Shoaib Akhtar’s 161 km/h delivery.
• Who is known for yorkers in Pakistan? Wasim Akram.