Top 10 Fastest Ball in Cricket History (Official 2026 List)
Speed thrills. From Jeff Thomson’s slinging action in the 70s to Mayank Yadav’s modern thunderbolts, the obsession with the 160 kmph barrier has never faded. But in a world of speed gun glitches and unofficial claims, who actually bowled the fastest ball in cricket history?
Was it Shoaib Akhtar? Or did a speedometer error give Matheesha Pathirana a fake world record? In this 2026 updated guide, we rank the officially verified deliveries to find the true fastest ball in cricket history, separating the myths from the real records.
- Official World Record: Shoaib Akhtar (161.3 kmph)
- Fastest in IPL: Shaun Tait (157.7 kmph)
- Fastest Indian: Umran Malik (157.0 kmph)
- Viral Myth: Matheesha Pathirana did NOT bowl 175 kmph (Speed gun error).
1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – 161.3 kmph (The World Record)
- Speed: 161.3 kmph (100.2 mph)
- Match: Pakistan vs England (2003 World Cup)
- The Event: This is the benchmark. On February 22, 2003, at Newlands, Shoaib Akhtar became the first bowler to officially break the 100 mph barrier. Facing Nick Knight, he delivered the famous Shoaib Akhtar 161.3 kmph thunderbolt. It remains the official fastest ball in cricket history recognized by the ICC.
2. Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 kmph
- Speed: 161.1 kmph (100.1 mph)
- Match: Australia vs England (2010)
- The Context: Shaun “The Wild Thing” Tait came agonizingly close to breaking the record for the fastest ball in cricket history. His slingy action generated extreme pace, clocking 161.1 kmph against England at Lord’s. He holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled in Australia.
3. Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 kmph
- Speed: 161.1 kmph (100.1 mph)
- Match: Australia vs New Zealand (2005)
- The Legend: Brett Lee was the definition of athletic perfection. In an ODI against New Zealand, he clocked 161.1 kmph. While he also hit high speeds in the 2003 World Cup, this delivery is arguably the fastest ball in cricket history bowled with a traditional upright action.
Fastest Ball in IPL History List (2008–2026)
The IPL has seen its own speed battles. While international records are rare, the IPL often sees speeds touching 157 kmph. Here is the explicit data for the fastest ball in IPL history list:
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Speed (kmph) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaun Tait | Rajasthan Royals | 157.71 | 2011 |
| 2 | Gerald Coetzee | Mumbai Indians | 157.40 | 2024 |
| 3 | Lockie Ferguson | Gujarat Titans | 157.30 | 2022 |
| 4 | Umran Malik | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 157.00 | 2022 |
| 5 | Mayank Yadav | Lucknow Super Giants | 156.70 | 2024 |
The “Mayank Yadav” Phenomenon
India finally has a genuine speedster. The Mayank Yadav fastest ball record of 156.7 kmph in IPL 2024 stunned everyone. He consistently broke the 155 kmph barrier, proving he is a serious contender to one day challenge the record for the fastest ball in cricket history. If you want to see who he might be bowling to in the upcoming season, check out our predicted CSK Playing 11 for IPL 2026.
For more stats on international bowling records, you can check the official lists on ESPNcricinfo Records.
Myth Busting: Matheesha Pathirana Speed (175 kmph?)
You might have seen viral posts claiming Matheesha Pathirana bowled a 175 kmph delivery. This is false.
In a U19 match against India, a speed gun glitch briefly showed “175 kmph” for a wide ball. It was a technical error and is not recognized as an official record. In reality, the average Matheesha Pathirana speed is around 150 kmph, similar to his idol Lasith Malinga.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who has the fastest ball in cricket history?
Shoaib Akhtar holds the official world record with a delivery of 161.3 kmph (100.2 mph) bowled against England in the 2003 World Cup.
What is the fastest ball by an Indian bowler?
Umran Malik holds the record for the fastest ball by an Indian in the IPL (157.0 kmph), while Mayank Yadav is close behind with 156.7 kmph.
Did Matheesha Pathirana bowl 175 kph?
No. The viral image showing 175 kph was a technical glitch with the speed gun during the U19 World Cup. His average speed is typically between 145-150 kph.
Conclusion
The record for the fastest ball in cricket history has stood for over two decades. While modern bats and fitness levels have improved, Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 kmph remains the “Mount Everest” of bowling. With young guns like Mayank Yadav and Gerald Coetzee rising, 2026 might finally be the year we see a new king of speed.
Do you think the record for the fastest ball in cricket history will ever be broken? Tell us in the comments!
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