The Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI record is a strong indicator of a bowler’s consistency, control, and ability to influence the result of a match. Taking four wickets in a One Day International innings can put enormous pressure on the opposition, especially when those dismissals come against established batters or at important stages of the game.
Although five-wicket hauls are often considered the benchmark for an outstanding bowling performance, four-wicket spells are equally significant. They frequently restrict the opposition to a below-par total, break dangerous partnerships, and create opportunities for a team to take control of an innings. The list of the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI features some of the finest fast and spin bowlers to have played international cricket.
10. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has established himself as one of India’s most effective ODI fast bowlers since making his international debut in 2013. His combination of pace, seam movement, accuracy, and ability to attack the stumps has made him a consistent wicket-taking option. Shami has been particularly dangerous with the new ball, where he can extract movement and challenge top-order batters, while his skills also allow him to return later in the innings and claim important wickets. His performances in major ICC tournaments and bilateral series have strengthened his reputation as one of India’s leading ODI bowlers, and his 15 four-wicket-or-better performances place him among the notable names in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2025 | 108 | 206 | 15 |
9. Matt Henry
Matt Henry has developed into one of New Zealand’s most reliable ODI fast bowlers through his disciplined approach, accuracy, and ability to generate movement with the new ball. His consistent line and length have allowed him to put pressure on batters while his swing bowling has regularly produced important early breakthroughs. Henry has also shown the ability to perform in high-pressure matches and against strong international batting line-ups, making him an important part of New Zealand’s bowling attack. With 16 four-wicket-or-better performances, he has earned a strong position among the bowlers featured in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2025 | 95 | 172 | 16 |
8. Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock built an exceptional ODI career through remarkable accuracy, control, and consistency for South Africa. Rather than depending entirely on extreme pace, Pollock relied on precise bowling, subtle movement, and disciplined lengths to keep batters under pressure and force mistakes. He played an important role in South Africa’s bowling attack for more than a decade and regularly produced economical spells that also delivered crucial wickets. His 17 four-wicket-or-better performances underline his ability to consistently make an impact with the ball and secure his place among the leading names in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI record.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–2008 | 303 | 393 | 17 |
7. Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq was one of the most innovative spin bowlers of his generation and played a major role in transforming ODI bowling with his famous doosra and other variations. His ability to deceive batters through changes in flight, pace, and spin made him particularly effective during the middle overs. Saqlain became one of Pakistan’s leading wicket-taking options during his career and consistently troubled high-quality batting line-ups. His tally of 17 four-wicket-or-better performances highlights his match-winning ability and places him among the notable bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI standings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2003 | 169 | 288 | 17 |
6. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga became one of the most feared limited-overs bowlers because of his distinctive sling-arm action, sharp pace, and exceptional yorkers. The Sri Lankan fast bowler was capable of taking wickets during the powerplay as well as controlling the final overs when batting teams attempted to accelerate. His ability to deliver under pressure made him a major match-winner for Sri Lanka, while his performances in international tournaments further enhanced his reputation. Malinga finished with 19 four-wicket-or-better performances, placing him firmly among the elite bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2019 | 226 | 338 | 19 |
5. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has been one of Australia’s most dangerous ODI fast bowlers of the modern era, combining extreme pace with late swing, bounce, and accurate yorkers. His ability to attack batters at different stages of an innings has made him a constant wicket-taking threat, particularly during major international tournaments where he has produced several outstanding performances. Starc can strike with the new ball and return during the death overs to finish an innings with aggressive fast bowling. His 21 four-wicket-or-better performances demonstrate his remarkable consistency and place him among the leading bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI list.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2025 | 130 | 247 | 21 |
4. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history and enjoyed an extraordinary ODI career with Pakistan. His ability to swing the ball in both directions, master reverse swing, and produce deadly yorkers made him a nightmare for batters across different conditions. He became the first bowler to surpass 500 ODI wickets and finished with 502, while his 23 four-wicket-or-better performances further demonstrate his extraordinary consistency and place him among the greatest names in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–2003 | 356 | 502 | 23 |
3. Brett Lee
Brett Lee was one of Australia’s most exciting fast bowlers, renowned for his blistering pace, aggressive approach, and ability to challenge batters with raw speed. He regularly bowled at extreme speeds while maintaining enough control to produce consistent wicket-taking spells, particularly with the new ball. His 23 four-wicket-or-better performances demonstrate the consistency behind his reputation and place him alongside the greatest performers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2012 | 221 | 380 | 23 |
2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history and dominated ODI cricket through his exceptional variations, control, and ability to deceive batters. His remarkable consistency allowed him to challenge batsmen on a wide range of surfaces while his changes in pace and trajectory made him extremely difficult to attack. He finished his ODI career with 25 four-wicket-or-better performances, putting him just behind the leader in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI standings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2011 | 350 | 534 | 25 |
1. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis tops the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI rankings with an outstanding 27 four-wicket-or-better performances during his international career. The Pakistani fast bowler became famous for his devastating reverse swing, rapid pace, and lethal yorkers, which allowed him to dismantle batting line-ups in remarkably short periods. His 27 four-wicket-or-better performances, including 13 five-wicket hauls, underline his extraordinary consistency and cement his status as one of the greatest fast bowlers in ODI history.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–2003 | 262 | 416 | 27 |
FAQs
Who has the most four-wicket hauls in ODI cricket?
Waqar Younis leads the list with 27 four-wicket-or-better performances in ODI cricket.
How many four-wicket hauls does Muttiah Muralitharan have?
Muttiah Muralitharan recorded 25 four-wicket-or-better performances during his ODI career.
Which Australian bowler has the most entries among the top four?
Brett Lee and Mitchell Starc are both featured prominently, with Brett Lee recording 23 four-wicket-or-better performances and Starc recording 21.
Did Wasim Akram take more than 500 ODI wickets?
Yes. Wasim Akram finished his ODI career with 502 wickets, making him the first bowler to surpass the 500-wicket mark in the format.
Why are four-wicket hauls important?
A four-wicket spell can remove a large portion of an opposition’s batting line-up and significantly reduce its ability to build or chase a competitive total.