Taking six wickets in a One Day International is one of the greatest achievements for any bowler. However, cricket has witnessed several matches where even a world-class bowling spell was not enough to secure victory. These rare performances remind fans that cricket is a team game, and one player’s brilliance cannot always overcome shortcomings in batting or fielding. The list of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs celebrates bowlers who produced unforgettable spells despite finishing on the losing side.
The Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs feature legendary fast bowlers and modern pace stars who dominated opposition batting line-ups. Their outstanding figures remain part of ODI history because they proved that an individual can still deliver a match-winning performance even if the final result does not go in favor of their team. Below are the players ranked from 5 to 1 for recording some of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs.
List of 5 Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs
5. Zahoor Khan
United Arab Emirates fast bowler Zahoor Khan produced one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs during the second ODI against Ireland at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on 2 March 2017. The right-arm pacer bowled with excellent control and generated consistent movement to trouble the Irish batters throughout his spell. His ability to strike at regular intervals kept the UAE in the contest and prevented Ireland from cruising to the target.
Although the result did not go in the UAE’s favor, Zahoor’s outstanding spell remains one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs. His performance continues to be remembered as one of the greatest individual bowling efforts in UAE cricket history and serves as an example that a bowler can dominate a match even when the team fails to secure victory.
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahoor Khan | 6.3 | 34 | 6 | 5.23 |
4. Mitchell Starc
Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc produced one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup against New Zealand in Auckland. Bowling with tremendous pace and late swing, Starc ripped through the New Zealand batting order and consistently troubled world-class batters. His spell almost turned the match completely in Australia’s favor.
Even though Australia lost the match, Starc’s remarkable effort continues to rank among the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs. His six-wicket haul remains one of the finest examples of how an individual bowling performance can dominate a match despite ending on the losing side.
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 9.0 | 28 | 6 | 3.11 |
3. Shane Bond
New Zealand pace legend Shane Bond delivered one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup against Australia. Bond’s combination of raw pace, bounce, and late movement made life extremely difficult for one of the strongest batting line-ups in international cricket. His spell remains one of the greatest exhibitions of fast bowling in World Cup history.
Despite Bond’s sensational effort, Australia eventually emerged victorious. Nevertheless, his outstanding performance is still regarded as one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs, proving that even the greatest bowling displays cannot always guarantee victory.
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Bond | 10.0 | 23 | 6 | 2.30 |
READ MORE: Top 5 Best Bowling Figures in an Innings in ODIs
2. Nahid Rana
Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana announced his arrival on the international stage with one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs against Zimbabwe in Harare on 6 July 2026. Using his express pace and disciplined line, the young pacer consistently troubled Zimbabwe’s batting order and produced a memorable spell that immediately attracted worldwide attention.
Unfortunately, Bangladesh failed to defend their total despite Rana’s exceptional bowling performance. Even in defeat, his spell earned a place among the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs, making it one of the finest individual bowling efforts by a Bangladeshi fast bowler.
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nahid Rana | 10.0 | 21 | 6 | 2.10 |
1. Imran Khan
Pakistan captain Imran Khan occupies the top spot on the list of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs after his unforgettable spell against India in Sharjah in 1985. The legendary all-rounder displayed masterful control of swing and seam movement while maintaining relentless accuracy throughout his ten-over spell. His outstanding bowling dismantled the Indian batting order and remains one of the greatest fast-bowling performances in ODI history.
Although Pakistan eventually lost the match, Imran Khan’s remarkable performance remains one of the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs. More than four decades later, it is still widely regarded as one of the finest individual bowling displays in the history of ODI cricket and continues to inspire fast bowlers around the world.
| Player | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imran Khan | 10.0 | 14 | 6 | 1.40 |
The Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs prove that outstanding individual performances do not always guarantee victory. Zahoor Khan, Mitchell Starc, Shane Bond, Nahid Rana, and Imran Khan all produced extraordinary spells that deserved to be remembered, even though their teams failed to win. These remarkable performances remain among the Best Bowling Figures in an Innings on the Losing Side in ODIs, highlighting the skill, determination, and resilience of elite bowlers. Every spell on this list continues to inspire cricket fans and serves as a reminder that individual brilliance can shine brightly regardless of the final result.