Cricket, just like any other sport, has famous rivalries which entertain the viewers. One of the best rivalries is between India and Pakistan. Whenever these two collided, there have been tensions between fans and cricketers on and off the ground. India and Pakistan matches have given both their fans a day to entertain and express their love for the nation. There have been many records between these two teams. In this article, we will look at the top bowlers with the most wickets in India and Pakistan matches.
1. Waqar Younis – 37
Waqar Younis was one of the fastest bowlers in his youth. Waqar strength was his pace and his deadly bouncers. Waqar also had an unplayable delivery in his bowling attack, reverse swing, which made him unplayable many times. Waqar has played 26 matches against India and has taken 37 wickets in them. Waqar’s best bowling performance against India is 5/31.
2. Shahid Afridi – 38
Shahid Afridi is one of the best all-rounders to play for Pakistan. Shahid started his career as a leg-spinner and later became a very aggressive batter. Shahid has played 67 games and took 38 wickets in them. Shahid’s best bowling performance against India is 4/20.
3. Shoaib Akhtar – 41
Shoaib Akhtar, also known as “Rawalpindi Express”, was the fastest bowler for Pakistan to ever play. Shoaib’s main strength was his fierce pace and his attitude, which scared many batters. Shoaib has played 28 matches against India and picked up 41 wickets in them. Shoaib’s best performance against India is 4/36.
4. Kapil Dev – 42
Kapil Dev was the first captain who won the World Cup for India. Kapil was a fantastic batter, bowler, and leader, all in one. Kapil was the best pace bowler for India at his time. Kapil has played 32 games against Pakistan in ODI and has taken 42 wickets in them. Kapil’s best performance against Pakistan is 3/17.
5. Venkatesh Prasad – 43
Venkatesh Prasad was India’s most important member of the bowling attack throughout his career. Prasad’s great strengths were his ability to move the ball both ways. Prasad’s effective seam bowling was very valuable in limited-over cricket. Prasad has played 29 games against Pakistan in ODI and took 43 wickets in them.
6. Jagaval Srinath – 54
Jagaval Srinath is arguably India’s best pace bowler of all time. Srinath had an outstanding career, and the reason was mainly his strong shoulder action and the in-swingers. Srinath played 36 games against Pakistan in ODIs and took 54 wickets in them. Srinaths’s best bowling performance against Pakistan is 4/49.
7. Aaqib Javed – 54
Aaqib Javed was an underrated medium-fast bowler from Pakistan who mastered reverse swing. Javed was allegedly only 16 when he made his test debut. Javed has played 39 games against Pakistan in ODI and has taken 54 wickets. Javed’s best performance against India is 7/37.
8. Anil Kumble – 54
Anil Kumble is the best spinner who has ever played for India. Anil is one of the most successful spinners for India in all formats. The main reason for this success was his fantastic spin technique, which managed to take many wickets on India soil. Anil has played 34 matches against Pakistan and has taken 54 wickets in them.
9. Saqlain Mushtaq – 57
Saqlain Mushtaq is the best spinner that Pakistan has ever produced. Saqlain was the first spinner to take a hat trick in the ODI World Cup. Saqlain has played 36 games against India in ODI and has taken 57 wickets in them. Saqlain’s best performance against India is 5/45.
10. Wasim Akram – 60
Wasim Akram was “The Complete Bowler” at his time. Akram had complete control over swing and seam, all this done at a high pace. Akram is also rated as the best left-arm fast bowler of all time by many. Akram has played 48 games against India in ODI and has taken 60 wickets in them, which is the highest by any. Akram’s best performance against India was 4/35.
