4-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups, Bowlers with most 4-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups, Active bowlers with most 4-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups.
The importance of picking wickets has become paramount in ODIs. Bowlers have to be on their toes always to keep the batters in check. The four fielder rule till the 40 overs means picking wickets is the only way to go for fielding sides. Teams no longer wait for the death overs to attack. They keep looking for boundaries right throughout the innings.
Hence the value of a wicket taker is most in modern times. Teams who can strike during the middle overs are the ones who dominate ODI cricket. There is an elite list of bowlers who are known to be such striking forces.
For more Cricket News and Updates Join our Telegram Channel
We look at active bowlers with the most 4-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups:
#5 Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-Wicket Haul In ODI World Cup – 3
He is Pakistan’s biggest hope in the World Cup. Shaheen Shah Afridi was expected to carry Pakistan’s bowling attack in this tournament. The left-arm pacer has done all that he could to lead the attack. His return from injury hasn’t helped his cause. There seems to be a slight dip in his pace affecting his ability to strike venomously.
Yet Afridi has been Pakistan’s standout bowler so far in this tournament. He picked up a 5-wicket haul against Australia in a run-fest of a game. Afridi has 3 4-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups already.
#4 Adam Zampa 4-Wicket Haul In ODI World Cup – 3
He has arguably been one of the top two wrist spinners in this World Cup. Adam Zampa didn’t have the greatest of starts to the tournament. But his resurgence from the third game has been synonymous to Australia’s roaring comeback. He picked up 3 consecutive 4-wicket hauls to stamp his authority.
Zampa getting back to picking wickets in the middle overs makes the 5-times champions doubly dangerous. He will look to add to his 3 4-wicket hauls in the ODI World Cups through the course of this tournament itself.
#3 Trent Boult4-Wicket Haul In ODI World Cup – 4
He is playing his third ODI World Cup this edition. Trent Boult is yet to make a mark in the 2023 World Cup. But he has been one of the major lynchpins for the kiwis in the 2015 and the 2019 edition. Boult was in fact the joint highest wicket taker in the 2015 World Cup. He returned with a hattrick in the 2019 edition. New Zealand will need Boult to be at his best in the business end of the tournament. The left-arm swing bowler has picked 4 4-wicket hauls so far in 25 World Cup games.
#2 Mitchell Starc4-Wicket Haul In ODI World Cup – 6
He is a certified ODI legend. Mitchell Starc has been amongst the top three ODI bowlers right since his debut. He turned a new leaf since the 2015 World Cup. Starc was almost unplayable and he rightly earned the player of the tournament award. His dismissal of
Brendon McCullum in the opening over of the 2015 World Cup final remains fresh to date. Starc has nowhere been close to his World Cup best in this tournament so far. But a looming Starc threat keeps batters honest. He has 6 4-wicket hauls to his name in 24 World Cup games.
#1 Mohammad Shami 4-Wicket Hauls In ODI World Cup- 6
A bowler toppling Mitchell Starc from a World Cup all timers list has to be doing something extremely special. It is Mohammad Shami who tops the list of bowlers who have picked the most 4-wicket hauls in World Cups. Shami not just leads in terms of active bowlers but throughout the World Cup history, no bowler has picked more 4-wicket hauls than him.
The fact that his achievement has come in just 13 World Cup games remains astonishing. He delivered seam bowling masterclass in two back-to-back games. It won’t surprise anyone if Shami adds a couple more 4-wicket hauls to his name by the end of this World Cup.