Fastest Bowler To 150 ODI Wickets (Source: AFP)
On May 18, Nepali leg-spinner and former Delhi Capitals player Sandeep Lamichhane became the fastest bowler in the world to reach 150 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Lamichhane achieved the remarkable record in the Nepal’s match against Scotland at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket ground.
It is worth noting that in 2018, Sandeep Lamichhane made history as the first and only cricketer from Nepal to play in the Indian Premier League, representing the Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils). He played 9 matches across the 2018 and 2019 seasons, taking 13 wickets altogether.
The forgotten IPL Star is once again in the spotlight after he became the fastest bowler to take 150 ODI wickets in just 73 games, going past the legendary Mitchell Starc, who had reached 150 wickets in 77 matches.
Thus, in this article, take a look at the top bowlers to fastest 150 ODI wickets.
Fastest to reach 150 ODI wickets
4. Mohammed Shami (India) - 80 matches
Indian veteran pacer Mohammed Shami made his ODI debut on January 6, 2013, against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground (now Arun Jaitley Stadium) in Delhi. He has been one of India’s most successful bowlers in the format for his ability to move the new ball and master reverse swing.
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On July 12, 2022, Shami took his 150th ODI wicket in just his 80th game. In the process, he became the fastest Indian bowler to achieve the feat and the joint-fourth-fastest in the world.
4. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 80 matches
One of the most unreadable, thus economical spinners in ODI history, Rashid Khan received his ODI cap on October 18, 2015. Making his debut at just the age of 17, he quickly became the fastest and youngest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets, reaching the milestone at just 19 years and 186 days old.
Currently (as of May 18, 2026) ranked at the top of ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings, Rashid took his 150th ODI wicket on February 28, 2022, against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
By reaching this milestone in just 80 innings, he became the joint fourth-fastest player in the world and the fastest for Afghanistan to achieve 150 wickets in One Day International cricket.
3. Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) - 78 matches
A legendary Pakistani off-break bowler whose ODI career spanned from 1995 to 2003, Saqlain Mushtaq is widely recognised as the pioneer of the ‘doosra’.
Apart from that, he holds the all-time record for the most ODI wickets in a single calendar year (69 wickets in 1997) and is the then fastest bowler to reach 100, 200, and 250 ODI wickets.
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Taking his 150th One Day International (ODI) wicket against India in Dhaka on January 16, 1998, Saqlain Mushtaq is the third fastest bowler in ODI history to reach the 150-wicket mark in just 78 matches.
2. Mitchell Starc (Australia) - 77 matches
One of the greatest white-ball bowlers in cricket history, Mitchell Starc, is a lethal left-arm pacer. Starc made his ODI debut for Australia against India on October 20, 2010, at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Sixteen years later, Starc now has around 250 wickets in the format. He also holds the record as the second-fastest bowler to reach 150 wickets (77 matches) and the fastest to take 200 wickets in just 102 matches.
1. Sandeep Lamichhane (Nepal) - 73 matches
Nepali star bowler Lamichhane holds the record for fastest 150 ODI wickets. He achieved the milestone in just 73 ODI matches, breaking the previous world record held by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who had reached 150 wickets in 77 matches.
The Nepali spinner completed the feat on Monday during Nepal’s match against the Scotland.
By the end of 23 overs, Scotland were 132 runs for the loss of five wickets. Lamichhane had taken three wickets, while Dipendra Singh Airee and Lalit Rajbanshi picked up one wicket each for Nepal.
Lamichhane also holds the record for becoming the fastest bowler to reach 100 wickets in ODIs. He achieved the milestone back in April 2023 during a match against Oman, taking only 42 matches to complete 100 ODI scalps.
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