One-day international (ODI) cricket has produced some of the most remarkable bowling performances in the sport. From fast bowlers generating pace and movement to spinners outsmarting batters with flight and variation, a single spell can change the course of a match.

While modern ODI cricket has increasingly favoured aggressive batting, exceptional bowling remains a powerful match-winning weapon. Over the years, several bowlers have produced extraordinary figures, but Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas continues to hold the record for the best bowling figures in men's ODI history.

Vaas took eight wickets for just 19 runs against Zimbabwe in 2001. Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, Australia's Glenn McGrath and Afghanistan's Rashid Khan are among the other bowlers whose outstanding spells feature in the record books.

Here is a look at the top 10 best bowling figures in men's ODI cricket history, ranked first by wickets taken and then by runs conceded.

Top 10 Best Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket

Bowling figures are listed as wickets taken and runs conceded. This ranking covers men's ODI cricket and is not a combined men's and women's list.

1. Chaminda Vaas – 8/19 vs Zimbabwe, 2001

Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas occupies the top position with a bowling performance that remains unmatched in men's ODI cricket.

Playing against Zimbabwe in Colombo on December 8, 2001, the left-arm fast bowler took eight wickets for 19 runs. His opening delivery produced a wicket, setting the tone for a remarkable spell that Zimbabwe's batting line-up could not withstand.

Zimbabwe were dismissed for just 38 runs, and Sri Lanka went on to win by nine wickets. Vaas combined swing, accuracy and relentless pressure to deliver one of the most extraordinary spells in international cricket.

His figures of 8/19 remain the best in men's ODI history, making him the only bowler to take eight wickets in a men's ODI innings.

2. Shahid Afridi – 7/12 vs West Indies, 2013

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi produced one of the most devastating spells of leg-spin bowling against West Indies in Guyana on July 14, 2013.

Afridi claimed seven wickets for only 12 runs, using his variations and control to dismantle the home side's batting order. West Indies were bowled out for 98 as Pakistan secured a convincing victory.

The figures of 7/12 stand out for the combination of wicket-taking impact and economy. Afridi's performance demonstrated how a spinner can take control of an ODI innings by consistently forcing batters into difficult decisions.

His spell remains the second-best performance on this list when ranking by wickets taken and then runs conceded.

3. Glenn McGrath – 7/15 vs Namibia, 2003

Australia's Glenn McGrath delivered a superb performance against Namibia during the 2003 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

McGrath finished with seven wickets for 15 runs, using his trademark accuracy and disciplined line and length to put Namibia under pressure. Rather than relying solely on pace, he repeatedly forced batters to play challenging deliveries.

The performance formed part of Australia's successful World Cup campaign and reinforced McGrath's reputation as one of the most consistent fast bowlers of his generation.

His 7/15 remains among the finest bowling figures recorded in men's ODI cricket.

4. Rashid Khan – 7/18 vs West Indies, 2017

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan announced his arrival among the world's leading limited-overs bowlers with a sensational spell against West Indies in Gros Islet on June 9, 2017.

The leg-spinner claimed seven wickets for 18 runs, using sharp turn, changes of pace and deceptive variations to trouble the West Indies batters.

The performance was an important moment in Afghanistan's rise in international cricket. Rashid's ability to take wickets in clusters made him a major threat in the middle overs and helped establish his reputation as one of the game's leading white-ball spinners.

His figures of 7/18 remain among the best bowling performances in men's ODI history.

5. Wanindu Hasaranga – 7/19 vs Zimbabwe, 2024

Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga produced a memorable spell against Zimbabwe in Colombo on January 11, 2024, taking seven wickets for 19 runs.

The leg-spinner used his variations to break through Zimbabwe's batting line-up and deliver a performance that placed him among the elite bowlers in ODI history.

Hasaranga's achievement also continued Sri Lanka's strong tradition of producing outstanding spin bowlers. His control and wicket-taking ability have made him an important part of the team's limited-overs attack.

The figures of 7/19 put him fifth on this list, narrowly behind Rashid Khan's 7/18.

6. Andy Bichel – 7/20 vs England, 2003

Australia's Andy Bichel produced one of the standout bowling performances of the 2003 World Cup when he claimed seven wickets for 20 runs against England.

Bichel's spell played a significant role in Australia's campaign during the tournament. His ability to take wickets at regular intervals put England's batting line-up under sustained pressure.

The performance remains an important entry in the history of Australia's World Cup cricket. It also highlights the depth of the Australian bowling attack during an era in which the team dominated international limited-overs cricket.

Bichel's figures of 7/20 continue to rank among the best in men's ODI history.

7. Charlie Cassell – 7/21 vs Oman, 2024

Scotland's Charlie Cassell made an immediate impact on the international stage with a remarkable bowling performance against Oman in July 2024.

On his ODI debut, Cassell took seven wickets for 21 runs, dismantling the opposition's batting order and making an immediate entry into the record books.

The achievement was especially notable because seven-wicket hauls are rare in ODI cricket, even for established international bowlers. Producing such figures in a debut match made the performance even more memorable.

Cassell's 7/21 remains one of the defining individual bowling displays in Scotland's ODI history.

8. Muttiah Muralitharan – 7/30 vs India, 2000

Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan claimed seven wickets for 30 runs against India in Sharjah on October 27, 2000.

Renowned for his ability to deceive batters with spin and variation, Muralitharan was one of the most difficult bowlers to face during his international career. His spell against India showcased his capacity to take wickets against a strong batting line-up.

Muralitharan went on to finish his men's ODI career with 534 wickets, the highest career tally in the format. His longevity and consistency made him one of the most influential bowlers in international cricket.

His 7/30 against India remains one of the standout performances of his ODI career.

9. Tim Southee – 7/33 vs England, 2015

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee delivered a memorable performance against England during the 2015 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in Wellington.

Southee took seven wickets for 33 runs as New Zealand's bowling attack overwhelmed England. His spell featured movement through the air and off the pitch, combined with the accuracy needed to keep attacking batters under pressure.

The performance helped New Zealand secure a commanding victory and became one of the most memorable bowling displays of that World Cup.

Southee's 7/33 remains among the finest individual bowling figures recorded in the tournament's history.

10. Waqar Younis – 7/36 vs England, 2001

Pakistan's Waqar Younis completes the top 10 with figures of seven wickets for 36 runs against England in Leeds in 2001.

One of the leading fast bowlers of his generation, Waqar built his reputation on late movement, reverse swing and devastating yorkers. His ability to break through batting line-ups made him a constant threat in ODI cricket.

The performance against England reflected the qualities that made him one of Pakistan's most successful fast bowlers. Waqar finished his ODI career with 416 wickets, leaving a significant mark on the format.

His 7/36 earns the final place on this list, ahead of other notable seven-wicket performances with higher run totals.

Who Holds the Record for the Best Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket?

Chaminda Vaas holds the record for the best bowling figures in men's ODI cricket, having taken eight wickets for 19 runs against Zimbabwe in 2001.

Shahid Afridi's 7/12 against West Indies ranks second on this list, followed by Glenn McGrath's 7/15 against Namibia. The remaining places feature a mix of fast bowlers and spinners from several international teams.

These performances underline an important feature of ODI cricket: while batting records often attract attention, a single exceptional bowling spell can determine the outcome of a match. Whether through swing, pace, accuracy or spin, the bowlers on this list have set standards that remain difficult to match.

As the format continues to evolve, these historic figures remain a benchmark for bowlers looking to make their mark on international cricket.