5 Players Who Can Break Shoaib Akhtar’s Record Of Fastest Ball

It’s a rare and spectacular ability to bowl lightning fast in cricket. In the past, Jeff Thompson, Dennis Lillee, Brett Lee, and Shaun Tait were part of the pacers who used to bowl incredibly fast for their respective teams.

One of the exceptional players to make history to bowl the fastest delivery in the game was Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, who broke the 100mph barrier for the very first time in the game.

The Rawalpindi Express holds the record when it clocked 161.3 kmph/ 100.2 mph. He achieved the feat during the ODI game against England in the 2003 World Cup at the Newlands, Cape Town. In the future, there could be a few names who have the speed and ability to match the same intensity and bowl a quicker delivery than that.

Here is the list of 5 players who can break Shoaib Akhtar’s record for the fastest ball

1. Umran Malik

The young Indian pacer, Umran Malik, is on the radar for breaking Shoaib Akhtar’s record for the fastest ball. He has constantly bowled with a pace of over 150 during IPL 2022.

The Jammu-Kashmir pacer stunned the Indian side and their fans when he clicked his career best speed of 157 kmph, and has a chance to increase the pacer further.

Also Read: RCB Humiliated By High Court; Throws Out Their Plea Against Travis Head-Uber Ad

Umrah is a confirmed potential for the future and can go a long way in his career. Injuries have been part and parcel of his career in the last few seasons, and once he gets full fitness, he could break Shoaib’s record.

2. Mark Wood

One of the fastest bowlers in the last few years in world cricket is England’s Mark Wood, who has managed to trouble the opposition batters with his pace. His ability to generate sheer pace has improved his bowling.

During the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2019 final against New Zealand, he bowled the fastest ball (154 kmph/95.7 mph) of the event.

His ability to generate the pace even on the slow tracks has also impressed all. If injury stays away from his career, then he could be a great option to break Shoaib Akhtar’s record.

3. Lockie Ferguson

New Zealand’s aggressive pacer, Lockie Ferguson, has excited the fans across the world of cricket.

He has already earned the tag of threatening the batters with the pace. These sorts of pacers bring so much value for the side on flat and dead-batting surfaces.

His delivery during the 2019 ODI World Cup to dismiss Faf du Plessis speaks volumes about his ability.

Ferguson has the rare ability of swinging and seaming the ball at high speed and can break 100 mph like Shoaib Akhtar.

4. Anrich Nortje

With some of his great performances during the 2018 Mzansi Super League, Anrich Nortje caught the attention of world cricket.

He has regularly clocked the speed of 150 kmph for South Africa or the franchises he has been part of.

Also Read: “MS Dhoni Has…”- CSK CEO Clears Doubts Over Legend’s Future After IPL 2025 Debacle

Even the former Protea pacer, Dale Steyn, has praised Nortje to watch for in the upcoming years with his superb pace. He is another member to break Shoaib Akhtar’s record for the fastest ball.

5. Kagiso Rabada

Rabada was a consistent performer of the current generation across all formats. During the 2019 season of the IPL, he picked up 25 wickets in 12 games and followed it up with another incredible performance of 30 wickets in 2020. His fastest delivery was recorded at 154.23 kmph.

Rabada could potentially be a threat to Shoaib Akhtar’s long-standing record of the fastest delivery in international cricket.