Discover the top 4 bowlers to take 100+ wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20s across international cricket formats. Bowling in cricket is often seen as one of the hardest jobs. While the game challenges all players, bowlers face more physical stress than batsmen.
It is also difficult for bowlers to stay consistent in all formats. While line and length remain important, shorter formats like ODIs and T20s require more variations compared to Test cricket.
To manage their workload, many countries rest their main bowlers in certain formats. However, a few bowlers have shown their ability to take wickets in all formats of the game.
So far, 201 bowlers have taken 100 or more wickets in Test cricket, 170 have done so in ODIs, and only 20 in T20Is. Out of these, only four bowlers have taken 100 or more wickets in each of the three formats, and we will talk about them here.
4. Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka
Lasith Malinga, often seen as the greatest T20I bowler ever, took 546 wickets in his international career. His record includes 101 wickets in Tests, 338 in ODIs, and 107 in T20Is.
Malinga also became famous in franchise leagues worldwide. He retired in 2020 with 13 five-wicket hauls.
| Format | Matches | Balls | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 30 | 5209 | 101 |
| ODIs | 226 | 10936 | 338 |
| T20Is | 84 | 1799 | 107 |
3. Shakib Al Hasan – Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan, considered one of the best all-rounders of this generation, has taken 712 wickets in international cricket — 246 in Tests, 317 in ODIs, and 149 in T20Is.
His most impressive performance came during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he scored 606 runs and took 11 wickets.
Shakib also has 25 five-wicket hauls in international cricket.
| Format | Matches | Balls | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 71 | 15675 | 246 |
| ODIs | 247 | 12575 | 317 |
| T20Is | 129 | 2745 | 149 |
Also Read: Top 5 Non-Retired Indian Bowlers Leading in Test Wickets
2. Tim Southee – New Zealand
New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has played over 100 matches in all three formats and taken more than 100 wickets in each. He has 391 wickets in Tests, 221 in ODIs, and 164 in T20Is.
Southee has been a key part of New Zealand’s fast-bowling attack, forming a strong partnership with Trent Boult. He played an important role in New Zealand’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2019-21 final win against India, taking five wickets in the match.
His bowling averages are impressive: 30 in Tests, 33 in ODIs, and 22 in T20Is.
| Format | Matches | Balls | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 107 | 23490 | 391 |
| ODIs | 161 | 8075 | 221 |
| T20s | 126 | 2753 | 164 |
1. Shaheen Afridi – Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi is the latest bowler to join this special list. Famous for his skill with the new ball, Shaheen has taken 328 international wickets, including 116 in Tests, 112 in ODIs, and 100 in T20Is.
His most memorable performance came against India in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he took three wickets and helped Pakistan win their first-ever match against India in World Cup history.
| Format | Matches | Balls | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 31 | 6162 | 116 |
| ODIs | 56 | 2856 | 112 |
| T20Is | 75 | 1636 | 100 |
Also Read: Top 5 Bowling Records By Ravichandran Ashwin In Test Cricket