Often hailed as one of the most popular and prominent formats of international cricket, the One-Day International (ODI) is religiously followed by millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world. The star-studded history of the ODI format has witnessed numerous legendary bowlers who have annihilated even the most dominant batting lineups with their breakneck and lethal bowling attacks.
Additionally, some of these trailblazing bowlers have also left the opponent teams stunned after delivering their unmatched dot deliveries, reducing the run rate and playing a crucial role in leading their teams to numerous sensational victories in the One-Day International (ODI) format. Have you ever wondered about the top four bowlers who have delivered the highest number of dot balls in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs)? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four bowlers with the most dot deliveries in the ODI format as of January 2026.
Top 4 Bowlers With the Most Dot Balls in ODIs
-
Shahid Afridi, Pakistan – 7,022 Balls
The legendary Pakistani former international cricketer and skipper of Pakistan’s national cricket team, Shahid Afridi, is at the first spot in our list of the top four bowlers who hold the record for the highest number of dot balls in the ODI format as of January 2026. Widely regarded as one of the most influential all-rounders to ever represent Pakistan across all formats of international cricket, Shahid Afridi has been a part of Pakistan’s winning team in numerous prestigious tournaments including 2000 Asia Cup and 2012 Asia Cup.
Read More
Throughout his glorious international cricketing career, Shahid Afridi played a record total of 398 ODI matches, scoring a total of 8,064 runs and picking up a total of 395 wickets. Additionally, Shahid Afridi also holds the record for delivering the highest number of dot balls in the One-Day Internationals, i.e. 7,022, which continues to be the highest aggregate as of January 2026.
-
Brett Lee, Australia – 6,865 Balls
At the second spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the most dot deliveries in the ODI format as of January 2026, we have the former Australian international cricketer Brett Lee, who is still widely hailed as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the world. Brett Lee represented Australia in the One Day Internationals from 2000 till 2012, playing a total of 221 matches, picking up a record total of 380 wickets at an average of 23.4 and an economy of 4.76.
Additionally, Brett Lee also dismissed the greatest of batsmen with his signature dot deliveries. The former Australian cricketing sensation Brett Lee delivered a total of 6,865 dot balls throughout his ODI career, which continues to be the second-highest total as of January 2026.
-
Daniel Vettori, New Zealand – 6,635 Balls
Next, at the third spot on our list of the top four bowlers with the most dot deliveries in the ODI format, as of January 2026, we have a former international cricketer who represented New Zealand across all formats of international cricket from 1997 to 2015. Often hailed as one of the most influential all-rounders in the history of the game Daniel Vettori is also an inductee in the New Zealand Cricket Hall of Fame, speaking volumes about the unmatched legacy that he has left behind in the game.
The former New Zealand star cricketer Daniel Vettori played a record total of 295 ODI matches between 1997 and 2015 and picked up a record total of 305 wickets. Also, Daniel Vettori delivered the third-highest total of 6,635 dot balls in his glorious career in the One Day International format, which continues to be the third-highest total as of January 2026.
-
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh – 6,615 Balls
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the most dot deliveries in the ODI format as of January 2026, we have the former Bangladeshi international cricketer and skipper of the Bangladesh national cricket team, Shakib Al Hasan, who is still hailed as one of the most successful all-rounders in the history of the game.
Read More
Throughout his star-studded ODI career which spanned from 2006 till 2023, Shakib Al Hasan played a record total of 247 matches and picked up a total of 317 wickets at a blistering average of 29.5 and a phenomenal economy rate of 4.47. In addition to being one of the most reliable all-rounders, Shakib Al Hasan also established himself as one of the most lethal bowlers and delivered a total of 6,615 dot balls which continues to be the fourth-highest total as of January 2026.
