The Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History is one of the best ways to measure a bowler’s consistency and match-winning ability in One Day International cricket. While five-wicket hauls often receive more recognition, bowlers who regularly take four wickets in an innings play an equally important role in deciding the outcome of matches. These spells break crucial partnerships, put batting sides under pressure, and often lead their teams to victory. The record for the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History highlights bowlers who have consistently delivered outstanding performances across different conditions, opponents, and eras.
List of Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History
10. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has been one of India’s most successful fast bowlers in One Day International cricket. Since making his ODI debut in 2013, he has consistently troubled batters with his pace, seam movement, and accuracy. Shami is particularly effective with the new ball, where he regularly provides early breakthroughs, but he is equally dangerous during the middle overs with his ability to reverse swing the ball. His impressive performances in ICC tournaments and bilateral series have made him one of India’s greatest ODI wicket-takers. His consistency has earned him a place among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. Every time Shami produces a four-wicket spell, he demonstrates why he is regarded as one of the finest modern fast bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History rankings.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2025 | 108 | 206 | 15 |
9. Matt Henry
Matt Henry has developed into one of New Zealand’s leading ODI fast bowlers through his disciplined bowling and excellent control. His ability to swing the new ball and maintain consistent line and length has helped him dismiss many of the world’s best batters. Henry has produced several match-winning spells throughout his career and continues to be an important part of New Zealand’s bowling attack. His ability to take wickets in crucial situations has placed him among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. Recording 16 performances of four wickets or more highlights his consistency and growing reputation in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2025 | 95 | 172 | 16 |
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8. Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock built one of the greatest ODI bowling careers through outstanding accuracy, control, and discipline. Although he was not the fastest bowler, he rarely gave batters easy scoring opportunities and consistently forced mistakes. Pollock played a major role in South Africa’s success for more than a decade and regularly produced economical, wicket-taking spells. His remarkable consistency earned him a place among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. Finishing with 17 four-wicket-or-better performances proves why Pollock remains one of the greatest seam bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–2008 | 303 | 393 | 17 |
7. Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq revolutionized ODI spin bowling with his famous “doosra” and clever variations. His ability to deceive batters and take wickets during the middle overs made him one of Pakistan’s greatest spin bowlers. Saqlain consistently broke important partnerships and controlled the scoring rate while collecting wickets against top international teams. His achievements secured him a place among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. With 17 innings of four wickets or more, Saqlain remains one of the finest spin bowlers featured in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2003 | 169 | 288 | 17 |
6. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga was one of the most feared fast bowlers in ODI cricket because of his unique sling-arm action and deadly yorkers. He regularly dismantled batting line-ups during the powerplay and death overs, making him a genuine match-winner for Sri Lanka. Malinga’s ability to bowl under pressure and deliver breakthroughs at crucial moments helped his team win many important matches, including several ICC tournament fixtures. His remarkable consistency places him among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. With 19 spells of four wickets or more, Malinga built a legacy as one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers and remains a standout name in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2019 | 226 | 338 | 19 |
5. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has been Australia’s leading ODI fast bowler for more than a decade. His ability to generate late swing at high pace, combined with his accurate yorkers, has made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in modern cricket. Starc has consistently delivered match-winning performances in ICC Cricket World Cups and major international series. His attacking style allows him to take wickets in every phase of an innings, making him one of the most successful bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. With 21 performances of four wickets or more, Starc continues to climb the rankings and strengthen his place among the legends with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| 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. His extraordinary ability to swing both the new and old ball made him a constant threat against every batting line-up. Akram mastered reverse swing better than almost anyone and regularly produced match-winning bowling spells throughout his career. His consistency over nearly two decades helped him become the first bowler to claim more than 500 ODI wickets. His outstanding achievements have earned him a place among the leaders with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. Recording 23 four-wicket-or-better performances, Akram remains one of the finest bowlers in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–2003 | 356 | 502 | 23 |
3. Brett Lee
Brett Lee was famous for his blistering pace and aggressive approach, making him one of Australia’s greatest ODI fast bowlers. Bowling consistently above 150 km/h, Lee regularly troubled even the world’s best batters and provided early breakthroughs for his team. His speed, accuracy, and attacking mindset helped Australia dominate ODI cricket during one of its most successful eras. Lee’s impressive consistency has secured his place among the bowlers with the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. His 23 performances of four wickets or more underline his remarkable impact and ensure his position among the all-time greats in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2012 | 221 | 380 | 23 |
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2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is regarded as the greatest spinner in ODI cricket and one of the finest bowlers in the history of the game. His exceptional spin, unmatched control, and wide variety of deliveries made him almost impossible to score against. Throughout his outstanding career, Muralitharan consistently dismissed top-quality batters and played a key role in Sri Lanka’s success across all conditions. His record of 25 four-wicket-or-better performances places him near the top of the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History. His incredible consistency and ability to win matches make him one of the greatest names in the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2011 | 350 | 534 | 25 |
1. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis sits at the top of the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History, a record that reflects his extraordinary skill and consistency throughout his international career. Known for his devastating reverse swing, lethal yorkers, and fearless attacking style, Waqar regularly dismantled batting line-ups and changed matches with the ball. He was Pakistan’s strike bowler for many years and consistently produced match-winning performances against the strongest teams in world cricket. His remarkable total of 27 innings with four wickets or more, including 13 five-wicket hauls, remains the highest in ODI history. The Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History record perfectly highlights Waqar Younis’ legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers the game has ever seen.
| Span | Mat | Wkts | 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–2003 | 262 | 416 | 27 |
The record for the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History highlights the bowlers who consistently delivered match-winning performances throughout their careers. While five-wicket hauls often receive more attention, taking four wickets in an ODI innings is equally valuable because it can completely change the course of a match. Every bowler featured on this list displayed exceptional skill, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure against the world’s best batting line-ups.
Waqar Younis sits at the top of the Most Four-Wicket Hauls in ODI History with an unmatched 27 four-wicket-or-better performances, followed by Muttiah Muralitharan with 25 and both Brett Lee and Wasim Akram with 23 each. Modern stars like Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Shami, and Matt Henry continue to add to their impressive records, proving that elite bowling performances remain just as important in today’s ODI game.