Fastest Ball in Cricket History – Speed Demons of the Game
Cricket fans love pace. When a bowler runs in like a bullet train and hurls a 160+ km/h thunderbolt, time seems to freeze. Let's explore the fastest deliveries ever bowled and the legends behind them.
1. Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph)
Date: 22 February 2003
Match: Pakistan vs England (World Cup, Cape Town)
The “Rawalpindi Express” clocked the fastest ball ever recorded in international cricket. Delivered to Nick Knight, this 161.3 km/h rocket made history.
2. Shaun Tait – 161.1 km/h
Date: 2010
Match: Australia vs England (Lord’s)
Tait, known for his slingy action, unleashed an incredible 161.1 km/h ball. He was unpredictable and lethal in limited overs formats.
3. Brett Lee – 161.1 km/h
Date: 2005
Match: Australia vs New Zealand
Brett Lee, the poster boy of Aussie pace, sent a 161.1 km/h scorcher in Napier. He was a consistent 150+ bowler with world-class swing and aggression.
4. Jeff Thomson – 160.6 km/h (Unofficial)
In the 1970s, Jeff Thomson terrified batsmen with sheer speed. Though not measured with radar, his deliveries were widely believed to exceed 160 km/h.
5. Mitchell Starc – 160.4 km/h
Date: 2015
Match: Australia vs New Zealand (World Cup Final)
Starc delivered a toe-crushing 160.4 km/h yorker to Ross Taylor, reminding the world that left-arm pace is as fierce as ever.
Honourable Mentions
- Umran Malik (India) – 156 km/h
- Fidel Edwards – 157.7 km/h
- Anrich Nortje – 156.2 km/h (IPL)
- Andy Roberts – ~159 km/h (Unofficial)
- Lockie Ferguson – 154.9 km/h
🏁 Final Thoughts
Shoaib Akhtar's record remains untouched for now, but the next generation of fast bowlers are knocking on the door. Will anyone break the 165 km/h barrier? Only time — and the radar — will tell.
Tags:
#FastestBallInCricket #ShoaibAkhtar #ShaunTait #BrettLee #MitchellStarc #CricketRecords #UmranMalik #SpeedInCricket
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