14 Fastest Bowlers In The World (2025 List)

Fast bowling happens when a cricket player runs up and throws the ball very fast toward the batter. The ball moves so quickly that the batter has little time to hit it, making it a tough job. In cricket, bowlers like this use their speed to try to get the batter out by hitting the stumps or making them miss the ball. Fast bowling has been around for a long time, and today, many players can throw the ball over 150 km/h.

We love watching these bowlers because they make every match feel alive with their power and skill. The fastest bowlers in the world have set records that fans still talk about years later, and in 2025, new names are joining the old legends with their amazing pace.

Fast bowling is exciting because it changes the game in a big way. When the ball comes at such high speed, batters feel pressure and sometimes make mistakes. It’s not just about being fast; these bowlers also need to aim well to beat the batter. Fans cheer loud when they see the ball fly down the pitch, and we all wait to see if the batter can handle it.

Fast bowling has gotten stronger over time, with players training hard to throw faster than ever. This article will show you the fastest bowlers in the world, starting with the quickest ever and then giving you a list of the top 10 based on their best speeds in big matches.

The King of Speed: Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar from Pakistan is the fastest bowler cricket has ever seen, and we still get chills thinking about his speed. He threw a ball at 161.3 km/h against England in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, a record no one has beaten yet. They called him the “Rawalpindi Express” because he came from Rawalpindi and moved like a train when he bowled. That day, the ball was so fast it shocked everyone watching, and batters everywhere knew they had to be ready for him. Shoaib played for Pakistan for many years, using his quick pace to take lots of wickets and scare even the best players in the game.

Shoaib Akhtar didn’t just break a record; he made fast bowling something bigger in cricket. His long run-up and strong throw made every delivery feel like a battle, and we could see the fire in his eyes. Batters would step up, nervous, knowing his ball could come at them like a rocket.

He had some tough times with injuries, but his love for speed kept him going strong. Shoaib’s style showed young bowlers everywhere that pace could win matches and win hearts. Even now, in 2025, his name tops the list of the fastest bowlers in the world, and his story inspires anyone who dreams of bowling fast.

List of the Top 10 Fastest Bowlers

The top 10 fastest bowlers in the world are picked by looking at their quickest delivery in international cricket matches. These players have shown they can throw the ball at speeds that make batters sweat, and their records prove how great they are. Some bowlers on this list come from years ago, while others are still playing in 2025, keeping the game thrilling with their pace.

We put this list together using real numbers from big games, so you know it’s all about raw speed. The fastest bowlers in the world come from different countries, showing that talent for pace is everywhere in cricket.

Here is the table with the top 10 fastest bowlers in the world, including their names, countries, speeds, who they played against, and when it happened. This list lets you see who has the power to bowl the quickest and how close they got to Shoaib Akhtar’s record. Each bowler here has a special moment when they showed their best, and we’re happy to share it with you. Check out the table below to know these amazing players and their fastest deliveries that made cricket history.

Stories of the Top 10 Fastest Bowlers

Shoaib Akhtar leads the fastest bowlers in the world with his 161.3 km/h ball against England in 2003, and we still feel the excitement of that day. Shaun Tait from Australia was right behind him, hitting 161.1 km/h against England in 2010 with a slingy throw that made batters jump. Brett Lee, also from Australia, matched Tait’s speed at 161.1 km/h against New Zealand in 2005, and his smooth run-up helped him take over 700 wickets in his career. Jeff Thomson took the pitch by storm in 1975, bowling 160.6 km/h against West Indies, and he was one of the first to keep going over 150 km/h all the time. Mitchell Starc, still active in 2025, hit 160.4 km/h against New Zealand in 2015, mixing speed with a swing that tricks batters every match.

Andy Roberts from West Indies threw a ball at 159.5 km/h against Australia in 1975, and his sharp bouncers started a big fast-bowling wave for his team. Fidel Edwards, another West Indies player, reached 157.7 km/h against South Africa in 2003, and his fast, slingy action left a mark despite some injury troubles. Mitchell Johnson from Australia brought heat at 156.8 km/h against England in 2013, and we remember how fierce he looked in the Ashes.

Mohammad Sami of Pakistan hit 156.4 km/h against Zimbabwe in 2003, showing quick pace even if he didn’t always shine. Shane Bond from New Zealand also reached 156.4 km/h against India in 2003, and his easy style made him a fan favorite until injuries stopped him.

India’s Fastest Bowler: Umran Malik

Umran Malik is the fastest bowler in India right now, and we were amazed when he bowled 157 km/h in the IPL in 2022. He came out of nowhere, showing that India has young players who can throw the ball super fast. Before him, bowlers like Javagal Srinath, Irfan Pathan, and Zaheer Khan were the big names, hitting speeds over 140 km/h with their swing and skill.

Umran’s pace in the IPL made everyone sit up and watch, and he’s already being called a star for the future. He fits right in with the fastest bowlers in the world, proving India can match the best.

Other Indian bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Navdeep Saini are fast too, and they help India win big games in 2025. Bumrah has a strange action that confuses batters, while Shami uses swing to get wickets. Saini brings his own speed, and together, they make India’s bowling strong.

We’re proud to see how far India’s fast bowlers have come, from Srinath years ago to Umran today. These players show that India is not just about spin anymore but can produce pace that rivals the fastest bowlers in the world.