The glorious history of international cricket, which spans over decades, has witnessed numerous spine-chilling moments on the field where the legendary international cricketers have displayed their unbeaten wrath on the field in full swing. Over the decades, numerous legendary bowlers, including Waqar Younis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shahid Afridi and many others have destroyed the top-batting lineups of the finest cricket teams in the world with their fiery and ruthless bowling attacks and have successfully established themselves as the greatest bowlers in the history of international cricket. Interestingly, a few of these legendary international bowlers have also left millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world absolutely stunned with their breakneck deliveries at blistering speed that continue to be the fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket.
In this article we will take a look at the top four bowlers with the fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket.
Top 4 Bowlers With Fastest Deliveries in International Cricket
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Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan – 161.3 kmph
The legendary Pakistani former international cricketer Shoaib Akhtar is at the first spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket, which left the fans absolutely stunned. Often popularly referred to as the “Rawalpindi Express”, the legendary Pakistan former international cricketer Shoaib Akhtar was widely regarded as one of the most lethal bowlers in the history of international cricket. Shoaib Akhtar created history during the 2003 Cricket World Cup match against England and bowled a spine-chilling delivery clocked at a blistering speed of 161.3 kmph. Although Shoaib Akhtar failed to dismiss England’s Nick Knight with his breakneck delivery, he undoubtedly etched his name in the glorious history of international cricket.
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Brett Lee, Australia – 161.1 kmph
At the second spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket, we have the trailblazing Australian former international cricketer Brett Lee, who is often hailed as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of international cricket. Brett Lee unleashed his finest bowling potential on the field during the ODI match against New Zealand in the 2005 VB Series (also known as the Commonwealth Bank Series) in Australia. Brett Lee bowled a blistering delivery clocked at a speed of 161.6 kmph in an attempt to dismiss New Zealand’s Lou Vincent. Although Brett Lee’s attempt to dismiss Lou Vincent wasn’t successfull, the record-breaking delivery clocked at an unbelievable speed of 161.1 kmph continues to be the second-fastest delivery in the history of international cricket as of September 2025.
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Shaun Tait, Australia – 161.1 kmph
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket that left the fans stunned, we have the former Australian international cricketer and the current fast bowling coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, Shaun Tait. Often regarded as one of the most ruthless fast bowlers in the history of international cricket, Shaun Tait displayed his unmatched and unbeaten bowling dominance during the Twenty20 International (T20I) against England in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and bowled a blistering delivery clocked at an unbelievable speed of 161.1 kmph etching his name in the glorious records of international cricket. As of September 2025, Shaun Tait’s iconic 161.1 kmph delivery continues to be the third-fastest delivery in the history of international cricket.
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Jeff Thompson, Australia – 160.6 kmph
Finally, at the fourth spot on our list of the top four bowlers with fastest deliveries in the history of international cricket, we have another legendary Australian former international cricketer, Jeff Thompson. Often popularly referred to as “Thommo” by millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world, Jeff Thompson represented the Australian national cricket team from 1972 to 1985. Widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all-time, Jeff Thompson created history during a Test match against England in 1975–76 and bowled a sensational delivery clocked at a blistering speed of 160.6 kmph which continues to be the fourth-fastest delivery in the decades-old history of international cricket as of September 2025.
