The journey of Bangladesh in international cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. From their humble beginnings as an associate nation in 1977 to becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and one-day international status, Bangladesh has made significant progresses in the cricketing world. Over the years, they have produced some world-class bowlers who have played a crucial role in their success.
Bangladesh’s Early Years and Qualification for the World Cup
Bangladesh’s entry into international cricket came in 1979 when they participated in the ICC Trophy in England. Although they had mixed results in the tournament, winning 2 matches and losing 2, it was a stepping stone for their cricketing journey. The turning point for Bangladesh came in 1997 when they secured the ICC Trophy in Malaysia, which granted them entry into their first-ever ODI World Cup in 1999. It was during this World Cup that they made headlines by defeating Pakistan, a victory that marked the beginning of their ascent in international cricket.
The Rise of Bangladesh in ODI Cricket
Since their entrance in the ODI format, Bangladesh has steadily improved their performance and made a name for themselves in world cricket. One of the key factors behind their rise has been the rise of talented bowlers who have unfailingly delivered for the team. Let’s take a closer look at the top bowlers who have imprinted their names in the history books by taking the most ODI wickets for Bangladesh.
1.Shakib Al Hasan: The All-Rounder Specialist
Shakib Al Hasan, widely regarded as one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, leads the team with an impressive tally of 312 wickets in 232 ODIs. Known for his extraordinary all-round skills, Shakib has been an energetic part in the Bangladesh team since his debut in 2006. With an average of 29.20 and an economy rate of 4.44, Shakib has consistently troubled batsmen with his left-arm spin. His standout performance came in the 2019 ODI World Cup, where he hypnotized the opposition with figures of 5/29 against Afghanistan.
2.Mashrafe Mortaza: The Motivating Leader
Mashrafe Mortaza, a former captain of the Bangladesh team, occupies the second spot on the list with 269 wickets in 218 ODIs. Mortaza, who made his ODI debut in 2001, has been a enchanted figure for Bangladesh cricket. Known for his fiery pace and ability to swing the ball, Mortaza has been a constant risk to opposition batsmen. His best bowling figures of 6/26 came against India in the 2007 ODI World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s historic win.
3.Abdur Razzak: The Left-Arm Spinner
Abdur Razzak, a left-arm traditional spinner, takes the third position on the list with 207 wickets in 153 ODIs. Razzak made his ODI debut in 2004 and quickly established himself as an important member of the Bangladesh team. With an average of 29.29 and an economy rate of 4.56, Razzak has been a consistent performer for his team. His ability to pick up crucial wickets at crucial times has been helpful in Bangladesh’s success.
4.Mustafizur Rahman: The Death Bowling Specialist
Mustafizur Rahman, a left-arm pacer known for his illusive cutters and yorkers, ranks fourth on the list with 141 wickets in 82 ODIs. Mustafizur burst onto the scene in 2015 and immediately made an impact with his unique bowling style. His ability to bowl accurate yorkers and variations in pace have made him a nightmare for batsmen, especially in the death overs. With an average of 24.74 and an economy rate of 5.09, Mustafizur has proven to be a valuable asset for Bangladesh.
5.Rubel Hossain: The Skiddy Pacer
Rubel Hossain, a veteran pacer, completes the top five with 129 wickets in 104 ODIs. Rubel made a memorable debut against Sri Lanka in 2009, where he picked up 4/33. Known for his skiddy pace and ability to generate bounce, Rubel has been a consistent performer for Bangladesh. With an average of 34.31 and an economy rate of 5.67, Rubel has played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s victories in the limited-overs format.
Bangladesh’s Rise in International Cricket
The success of these top wicket-takers is a evidence to Bangladesh’s rise in international cricket. Over the years, Bangladesh has shown great progress, mainly in limited-overs formats. They have achieved notable victories against prominent cricketing nations like India, Pakistan, and South Africa. Their home record has been particularly impressive, with only two ODI series losses since 2015.
In addition to the top wicket-takers, Bangladesh has a pool of talented bowlers who have contributed to their success. Players like Mohammad Rafique, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and Taskin Ahmed have made significant contributions to the team’s bowling attack.
List of Most Wickets for Bangladesh in One Day International Cricket
| Player | Span | Matches | Inns | Balls | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Avg | 4-Fers | 5-Fers |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 2006-2023 | 247 | 241 | 12,575 | 2095.5 | 9,360 | 317 | 29.52 | 10 | 4 |
| Mashrafe Mortaza | 2001-2020 | 218 | 218 | 10,827 | 1804.3 | 8,785 | 269 | 32.65 | 7 | 1 |
| Abdur Razzak | 2004-2014 | 153 | 152 | 7,965 | 1327.3 | 6,065 | 207 | 29.29 | 5 | 4 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 2015-2023 | 100 | 99 | 4,809 | 801.3 | 4,109 | 160 | 25.68 | 5 | 5 |
| Rubel Hossain | 2009-2021 | 104 | 102 | 4,678 | 779.4 | 4,427 | 129 | 34.31 | 7 | 1 |
| Mohammad Rafique | 1995-2007 | 123 | 122 | 6,294 | 1049 | 4,612 | 119 | 38.75 | 2 | 1 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 2017-2023 | 90 | 87 | 4,281 | 713.3 | 3,418 | 101 | 33.84 | 5 | – |
| Taskin Ahmed | 2014-2023 | 69 | 67 | 3,188 | 531.2 | 2,876 | 94 | 30.59 | 4 | 2 |
| Mahmudullah | 2007-2023 | 228 | 151 | 4,350 | 725 | 3,791 | 82 | 46.23 | – | – |
| Shafiul Islam | 2010-2020 | 60 | 60 | 2,540 | 423.2 | 2,529 | 70 | 36.12 | 4 | – |
| Khaled Mahmud | 1998-2006 | 77 | 75 | 3,385 | 564.1 | 2,865 | 67 | 42.76 | 1 | – |
| Syed Rasel | 2005-2010 | 52 | 52 | 2,657 | 442.5 | 2,051 | 61 | 33.62 | 1 | – |
| Tapash Baisya | 2002-2007 | 56 | 56 | 2,608 | 434.4 | 2,452 | 59 | 41.55 | 2 | – |
| Shahadat Hossain | 2006-2013 | 51 | 50 | 2,198 | 366.2 | 2,143 | 47 | 45.59 | – | – |
| Shoriful Islam | 2021-2023 | 30 | 30 | 1,340 | 223.2 | 1,261 | 45 | 28.02 | 3 | – |
| Nazmul Hossain | 2004-2012 | 38 | 37 | 1,649 | 274.5 | 1,386 | 44 | 31.5 | 1 | – |
| Mohammad Saifuddin | 2017-2021 | 29 | 28 | 1,283 | 213.5 | 1,279 | 41 | 31.19 | 1 | – |
| Naeem Islam | 2008-2014 | 59 | 48 | 1,743 | 290.3 | 1,407 | 35 | 40.2 | – | – |
| Taijul Islam | 2014-2023 | 18 | 18 | 972 | 162 | 708 | 30 | 23.6 | 1 | 1 |
| Hasibul Hossain | 1995-2004 | 32 | 32 | 1,375 | 229.1 | 1,338 | 29 | 46.13 | 1 | – |
| Hasan Mahmud | 2021-2023 | 20 | 19 | 879 | 146.3 | 878 | 28 | 31.35 | – | 1 |
| Arafat Sunny | 2014-2015 | 16 | 16 | 830 | 138.2 | 600 | 24 | 25 | 2 | – |
| Nasir Hossain | 2011-2018 | 65 | 43 | 1,256 | 209.2 | 988 | 24 | 41.16 | – | – |
| Alok Kapali | 2002-2011 | 69 | 49 | 1,452 | 242 | 1,255 | 24 | 52.29 | – | – |
| Manjural Islam | 1999-2003 | 34 | 34 | 1,591 | 265.1 | 1,284 | 24 | 53.5 | – | – |
| Manjural Islam Rana | 2003-2006 | 25 | 23 | 996 | 166 | 689 | 23 | 29.95 | 2 | – |
| Ebadot Hossain | 2022-2023 | 12 | 11 | 540 | 90 | 504 | 22 | 22.9 | 2 | – |
| Al-Amin Hossain | 2014-2020 | 15 | 15 | 663 | 110.3 | 608 | 22 | 27.63 | 2 | – |
| Sohag Gazi | 2012-2014 | 20 | 19 | 919 | 153.1 | 722 | 22 | 32.81 | 1 | – |
| Farhad Reza | 2006-2011 | 34 | 32 | 1,139 | 189.5 | 1,017 | 22 | 46.22 | – | 1 |
| Mushfiqur Rahman | 2000-2004 | 28 | 28 | 1,332 | 222 | 983 | 19 | 51.73 | – | – |
| Enamul Haque | 1990-2002 | 29 | 28 | 1,238 | 206.2 | 1,083 | 19 | 57 | – | – |
| Mohammad Ashraful | 2001-2013 | 175 | 40 | 697 | 116.1 | 661 | 18 | 36.72 | – | – |
| Mosaddek Hossain | 2016-2022 | 43 | 41 | 1,130 | 188.2 | 969 | 17 | 57 | – | – |
