Top 5 Fastest Deliveries Ever Bowled in International Cricket

Hey cricket lovers! We all know the feeling when a fast bowler charges in, lets it rip, and the ball zooms past the batter in a flash. There’s something magical and a bit scary about pure pace — it's a rush we all love. Today, we’re going back in time to celebrate the fastest deliveries ever bowled in international cricket — those thunderbolts that crossed 160 km/hr and made everyone say, “Waah bhai, kya pace hai!”

So grab a cutting chai, sit back, and let’s check them out — the fastest ball in cricket history — a perfect blend of power, aggression, and pure talent.

1️⃣ Shoaib Akhtar — 161.3 km/hr (100.2 mph)

If we talk about raw pace, Shoaib “Rawalpindi Express” Akhtar tops the charts! During the 2003 Cricket World Cup against England, Shoaib hurled a delivery at 161.3 km/hr — making it the fastest ball in the history of cricket. When Shoaib was in his groove, batter ki toh halat kharab ho jaati thi, bhai! The batter barely had time to lift his bat. That delivery made him a superstar overnight and a nightmare for opposition teams. Shoaib's pace wasn't just numbers — it was pure aggression, a perfect combination of power and control.

2️⃣ Brett Lee — 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph)

Brett Lee, the charming Australian speed merchant, fell just 0.2 km/hr short of Shoaib’s record when he clocked 161.1 km/hr against New Zealand in 2005. Binga, as fans called him, was a true match-winner. He was fast, aggressive, and accurate — a perfect blend for a pace bowler. With Lee charging in, the batter barely got a chance to blink. He made sure to keep up the pressure, ball after ball.

3️⃣ Shaun Tait — 161.1 km/hr (100.1 mph)

Another Aussie who crossed the 160 km/hr barrier is Shaun Tait. In 2010 against England, Tait fired in a delivery at 161.1 km/hr — matching Brett Lee's fastest ball. Tait was a slinger — his action was unconventional, which made it tough for the batter to read him. Picture this from an Indian perspective — imagine you’re at the non-striker’s end, and Tait is tearing in… bhagwan bachaye! Your reflex and confidence need to be perfect to handle this kind of pace.

4️⃣ Jeff Thomson — 160.6 km/hr (99.9 mph)

Back in the 1970s, when there were no sophisticated speed guns or advanced technology, a young Jeff Thomson was already a superstar with his raw pace. He teamed up with Dennis Lillee to form a fearsome pair for Australia. Thommo was a wild, aggressive bowler who crossed 160.6 km/hr — making him the fastest ball in cricket history during his era. Some say if we were to measure his delivery today, it might be even faster. He paved the way for future fast bowlers with his pure aggression and pace.

5️⃣ Mitchell Starc — 160.4 km/hr (99.7 mph)

Mitchell Starc is the fastest left-arm pacer we have in cricket today. During a 2015 match against New Zealand in Perth, Starc crossed 160.4 km/hr — making it the fastest ball in the history of cricket by a left-armer. Starc’s smooth action lets him generate explosive pace effortlessly. Whether it's a pinpoint yorker or a well-directed bouncer, when Starc is on song, batter ki to bas khair nahin, bhai! He’s a match-winner who can destroy a batting order in minutes.

Final Thoughts

So doston, these were the fastest deliveries ever bowled in cricket — thunderbolts that made a huge impact on the game. From Shoaib’s record-breaking delivery to Brett Lee’s aggression, from Tait’s unconventional action to Thomson’s raw power, and Starc’s left-arm magic — each of these players made their mark in cricket’s history books.

The fastest ball in cricket history isn’t just about a number on a speed gun — it’s a symbol of years of hard work, training, discipline, and pure talent. The ability to bowl at 160 km/hr is a rare feat, and we should appreciate these players who made it look effortless.

So the next time you watch a match and a pacer crosses 150 km/hr, remember — it’s not just a ball, it’s years of practice, power, and passion delivering that delivery. Cricket isn’t just a sport; it’s an feeling, an adrenaline rush — especially when the fastest cricket ball ever is hurled in from 22 yards away.