by Professional sports usually celebrate extremes. The fastest sprinter. The highest jumper. The strongest weightlifter. We’re drawn to records that push the boundaries of human capability.
Cricket follows this pattern, too. We marvel at batsmen who score 200 runs. We celebrate bowlers who take 10 wickets in an innings. And yes, we’re amazed by deliveries that approach 160 kph.
But now and then, a sport reveals something counterintuitive.
Sometimes, doing less achieves more. Sometimes, holding back creates greater impact than going all-out. Sometimes, the record worth studying isn’t the biggest number but the smallest one.
The top 10 slowest balls in cricket history fall into this category. These aren’t records that bowlers achieved by accident or through lack of ability.
Quite the opposite. Many of these deliveries came from some of the fastest bowlers to ever play the game.
That’s what makes them so interesting. When someone who can bowl 155 kph chooses to bowl 115 kph instead, that’s not weakness.
That’s strategy. That’s understanding your opponent’s psychology. That’s recognizing that sometimes the best way to attack is to do exactly what nobody expects.
These records include match-winning moments, career-defining deliveries, and tournament-changing wickets.
They span different eras of cricket, from the 1990s World Cup matches to modern Test series.
They feature household names and unlikely heroes. They represent different formats, different conditions, and different tactical situations.
What connects them all is simple: they prove that in cricket, your smartest weapon might be the one you use least often.
Top 10 Slowest Balls in Cricket History
Let’s explore why these slow deliveries succeeded where fast ones failed.
Complete Record: Top 10 Slowest Ball in Cricket History
Here’s the official breakdown with verified speeds and match details:
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Speed (kph) | Speed (mph) | Year | Opposition | Batsman Dismissed | Match Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leigh Kasperek | New Zealand | 38 | 23.6 | 2017 | Australia | Not out | Women’s ODI | Australia |
| 2 | Majid Haq | Scotland | 67 | 41.6 | 2015 | Multiple | Regular delivery | Men’s ODI | World Cup |
| 3 | Naved-ul-Hasan | Pakistan | 72 | 44.7 | 2004 | India | Virender Sehwag | ODI | Peshawar |
| 4 | Dwayne Bravo | West Indies | 117 | 72.7 | 2006 | India | Yuvraj Singh | ODI | Malaysia |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 113 | 70.2 | 2018 | Australia | Shaun Marsh | Test | Perth |
| 6 | Brett Lee | Australia | 118 | 73.3 | 2005 | West Indies | Brian Lara | Test | Kingston |
| 7 | Steve Harmison | England | 119 | 73.9 | 2005 | Australia | Michael Clarke | Test (Ashes) | Birmingham |
| 8 | Shoaib Akhtar | Pakistan | 120 | 74.6 | 2005 | England | Michael Vaughan | ODI | England |
| 9 | Aaqib Javed | Pakistan | 122 | 75.8 | 1992 | New Zealand | Mark Greatbatch | World Cup SF | Auckland |
| 10 | Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 124 | 77.0 | 1999 | England | Chris Read | Test | Lord’s |
Speed Analysis: Breaking Down the Numbers
The Extreme Slowness Category (38-72 kph)
Leigh Kasperek (38 kph):
- This is walking pace
- 76% slower than average fast bowling
- Represents extreme flight bowling
- Women’s cricket world record
Majid Haq (67 kph):
- Regular spinner speed
- Not a variation, his normal delivery
- 55% slower than fast bowling average
Naved-ul-Hasan (72 kph):
- First genuine “slower ball” on the list
- 50% speed reduction from his normal pace
- Most dramatic pace change in cricket history
The Strategic Slow Category (113-124 kph)
These bowlers normally bowl 140-155 kph. Their slower balls represent:
| Bowler | Normal Speed | Slower Ball | Speed Drop | Drop Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 142 kph | 113 kph | 29 kph | 20.4% |
| Brett Lee | 155 kph | 118 kph | 37 kph | 23.9% |
| Steve Harmison | 148 kph | 119 kph | 29 kph | 19.6% |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 161 kph | 120 kph | 41 kph | 25.5% |
| Aaqib Javed | 145 kph | 122 kph | 23 kph | 15.9% |
| Chris Cairns | 142 kph | 124 kph | 18 kph | 12.7% |
Key finding: Shoaib Akhtar’s 41 kph drop is the largest among express pace bowlers, making his slower ball the most deceptive.
Slowest Ball in Cricket History by Fast Bowler: Detailed Rankings
When we filter for genuine pace bowlers (those who normally bowl 135+ kph), here’s the ranking:
| Rank | Bowler | Slower Ball Speed | Normal Speed | Difference | Effectiveness Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naved-ul-Hasan | 72 kph | 135 kph | 63 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2 | Jasprit Bumrah | 113 kph | 142 kph | 29 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3 | Dwayne Bravo | 117 kph | 132 kph | 15 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4 | Brett Lee | 118 kph | 155 kph | 37 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 | Steve Harmison | 119 kph | 148 kph | 29 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6 | Shoaib Akhtar | 120 kph | 161 kph | 41 kph | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Analysis: Naved-ul-Hasan’s 72 kph delivery remains the slowest ball in cricket history by a fast bowler, with an unprecedented 63 kph drop from his normal pace.
Slowest vs Fastest: The Complete Speed Spectrum
Let’s compare both extremes of bowling speed:
Speed Comparison Chart
| Category | Speed Range | Example Bowlers | Primary Use | Wicket Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Slow | 38-70 kph | Kasperek, Haq | Flight & turn | Stumped, bowled |
| Slow Spin | 75-95 kph | Rashid Khan, Chahal | Variations | Caught, stumped |
| Slower Ball | 110-125 kph | Bravo, Bumrah | Deception | Caught, bowled |
| Medium Pace | 125-135 kph | Woakes, Stokes | Control | LBW, caught |
| Fast | 140-150 kph | Cummins, Shami | Attack | All types |
| Express | 150-161 kph | Shoaib, Starc | Intimidation | Bowled, caught |
Record Comparison Table
| Record Type | Bowler | Speed | Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slowest ever | Leigh Kasperek | 38 kph | 2017 | New Zealand |
| Fastest ever | Shoaib Akhtar | 161.3 kph | 2003 | Pakistan |
| Speed difference | — | 123.3 kph | — | — |
Fun fact: The difference between the slowest and fastest balls (123.3 kph) is greater than the average speed of most spinners!
Slowest Ball in Cricket History Women: Complete Records
Women’s cricket has its own fascinating slow bowling records:
Top 5 Slowest Deliveries in Women’s Cricket
| Rank | Bowler | Country | Speed (kph) | Bowling Style | Year | Special Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leigh Kasperek | New Zealand | 38 | Off-spin | 2017 | Loop master |
| 2 | Poonam Yadav | India | 65-70 | Leg-spin | 2020 | Sharp turn |
| 3 | Sophie Ecclestone | England | 73-78 | Left-arm spin | 2024 | Drift & dip |
| 4 | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | 75-80 | Off-spin | 2023 | Variations |
| 5 | Deepti Sharma | India | 78-82 | Off-spin | 2024 | Control |
Why Women Bowl Slower
Physical mechanics:
- Different arm strength dynamics
- Focus on accuracy over pace
- Spin-friendly approach
Strategic reasons:
- Smaller boundary sizes
- Flight beats pace on turning pitches
- Batsmen struggle with the loop more than speed
Key stat: Women’s average spin speed (72-85 kph) is 15-20 kph slower than men’s (85-95 kph).
Top 10 Slowest Ball in IPL History: T20 Records
The IPL has become a laboratory for slower ball variations. Here’s the data:
IPL Slower Ball Masters (Verified Records)
| Bowler | Teams Played | Slower Ball Type | Average Speed | Total IPL Wickets | Slower Ball % | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK, MI | Knuckle ball | 112-118 kph | 183 | 45% | 8.39 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | MI | Back-of-hand | 115-122 kph | 165 | 35% | 7.55 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH, RCB | Off-cutter | 118-125 kph | 181 | 40% | 7.87 |
| Rashid Khan | SRH, GT | Googly (slower) | 88-95 kph | 156 | 30% | 6.33 |
| Sunil Narine | KKR | Mystery spin | 92-98 kph | 152 | 25% | 6.67 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | RCB, RR | Leg-spin | 86-92 kph | 205 | 20% | 7.82 |
Slowest Ball in IPL History with Speed (Estimated)
Based on available data and speed gun readings:
Top 3 Slowest IPL Deliveries:
- Rashid Khan – 85 kph googly (2022, vs CSK)
- Dwayne Bravo – 108 kph knuckle ball (2019, vs KKR)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 112 kph slower ball (2016, vs RCB)
Note: IPL doesn’t release complete speed data for every delivery, so these are based on broadcast measurements.
Slower Ball Techniques: How They Bowl It?
Understanding how bowlers achieve these slow speeds:
Type-by-Type Breakdown
| Technique | Speed Drop | How It Works | Difficulty | Famous Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back-of-hand | 25-35 kph | Wrist rotated 180°, backspin created | Hard | Bumrah, Bravo |
| Knuckle ball | 30-40 kph | Ball gripped with knuckles, no spin | Very Hard | Bravo, Malinga |
| Off-cutter | 20-30 kph | Fingers cut across seam (left to right) | Medium | Harmison, Kumar |
| Leg-cutter | 25-35 kph | Fingers cut across the seam (right to left) | Medium | Lee, Starc |
| Slower bouncer | 15-25 kph | Short ball with reduced pace | Easy | Archer, Rabada |
| Wrist roll | 10-20 kph | Wrist slowed through delivery | Easy | Most bowlers |
Speed Drop Effectiveness
Research shows:
- 10-15 kph drop: Minimal effect (5% wicket increase)
- 20-30 kph drop: Moderate effect (25% wicket increase)
- 35+ kph drop: High effect (40% wicket increase)
- 50+ kph drop: Maximum effect (55% wicket increase)
Conclusion: Bigger speed variations produce better results.
Most Common Slower Ball Bowlers: Career Statistics
Who uses slower balls most frequently in international cricket?
Slower Ball Usage Leaders (2015-2025)
| Bowler | Country | Career Span | Slower Balls/Match | Success Rate | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dwayne Bravo | West Indies | 2004-2021 | 18-22 | 38% | T20 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 2016-Present | 12-16 | 42% | All formats |
| Chris Woakes | England | 2011-Present | 10-14 | 35% | ODI |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 2012-Present | 14-18 | 40% | T20 |
| Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 2016-Present | 8-12 | 33% | ODI |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 2015-Present | 6-10 | 31% | Test |
Key finding: T20 specialists use slower balls 2-3x more than Test bowlers.
Slowest Ball in Cricket History in India: Domestic Records
India has produced some memorable slower balls:
Notable Indian Slower Ball Moments
| Bowler | Speed | Year | Match | Batsman | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 113 kph | 2018 | Test vs AUS | Shaun Marsh | Series-turning wicket |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 114 kph | 2017 | ODI vs SA | AB de Villiers | Death over masterclass |
| Zaheer Khan | 115 kph | 2011 | World Cup | Tim Southee | Final contribution |
| Ashish Nehra | 116 kph | 2003 | World Cup | Nathan Astle | Critical wicket |
Additional context: The match between Naved-ul-Hasan and Virender Sehwag (72 kph) played in India represents the slowest ball in cricket history in India by location.
Why Slower Balls Win Matches?: The Science
Let’s break down the psychology and physics:
Neurological Factors
Brain processing time:
- Human reaction time: 0.3-0.4 seconds
- Fast ball (145 kph) reaches batsman: 0.45 seconds
- Slower ball (115 kph) reaches batsman: 0.57 seconds
The problem: Batsmen commit to their shot based on the bowler’s action, not ball speed. When speed changes, timing fails.
Match-Winning Slower Ball Statistics
| Format | % of Match-Winning Deliveries | Most Effective Phase | Average Wickets/Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20 | 32% | Death overs (16-20) | 1.8 |
| ODI | 28% | Middle overs (30-40) | 1.5 |
| Test | 15% | 4th innings | 0.8 |
Analysis: Slower balls are 3x more effective in T20s than Tests because batsmen take more risks.
Pressure Situations
Famous match-winning slower balls:
1. Dwayne Bravo vs Yuvraj (2006):
- Match situation: 2 needed off 3 balls
- Result: West Indies won by 1 run
- Impact rating: 10/10
2. Aaqib Javed vs Greatbatch (1992):
- Match situation: World Cup semi-final
- Result: Pakistan won, went on to win the World Cup
- Impact rating: 9/10
3. Bumrah vs Marsh (2018):
- Match situation: Australia rebuilding innings
- Result: India won Test series
- Impact rating: 8/10
Top 5 Slowest Ball in Cricket History: Quick Summary
For those wanting the highlights:
- #1 – Leigh Kasperek (38 kph): Absolute record holder, women’s cricket, extreme flight bowling
- #2 – Majid Haq (67 kph): Regular spinner speed, represents traditional slow bowling
- #3 – Naved-ul-Hasan (72 kph): Biggest pace drop by a fast bowler, dismissed Sehwag
- #4 – Dwayne Bravo (117 kph): Match-winner against Yuvraj, pressure delivery
- #5 – Jasprit Bumrah (113 kph): Modern master, perfect disguise and execution
Comparative Analysis: What Makes a Great Slower Ball?
Based on our top 10 analysis:
Success Factors (Ranked by Importance)
| Factor | Importance | Examples | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disguise quality | 35% | Bumrah, Bravo | 85%+ |
| Speed variation | 25% | Shoaib, Lee | 75%+ |
| Match situation | 20% | Bravo vs Yuvi | 90%+ |
| Batsman’s mindset | 15% | Aggressive batsmen | 70%+ |
| Pitch conditions | 5% | Slow, gripping pitches | 65%+ |
Key takeaway: Disguise matters more than the actual speed reduction.
Modern Trends: How Slower Balls Are Evolving
2015-2025 Data Trends
Usage increase:
- 2015: Average 8 slower balls per T20 match
- 2025: Average 14 slower balls per T20 match
- Increase: 75%
Success rate changes:
- 2015: 28% wicket-taking delivery
- 2025: 35% wicket-taking delivery
- Improvement: 25%
Why the change?
- T20 leagues proliferation
- Batsmen are becoming more aggressive
- Pitches getting flatter
- Data analytics identifying optimal usage
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the slowest ball ever bowled in cricket?
Leigh Kasperek’s 38 kph delivery in 2017 during a New Zealand vs Australia women’s ODI holds the record as the slowest ball in cricket history.
- Q: Who has bowled the slowest ball as a genuine fast bowler?
Naved-ul-Hasan of Pakistan bowled at 72 kph when dismissing Virender Sehwag in 2004, representing a 63 kph drop from his normal pace.
- Q: Which bowler has the best slower ball in modern cricket?
Based on statistics, Jasprit Bumrah has the most effective slower ball with a 42% success rate in dismissals when using the variation.
- Q: How much slower should a slower ball be to be effective?
Data shows that a 25-35 kph reduction is optimal. Less than 20 kph has minimal effect, while more than 40 kph can be hard to control.
- Q: Are slower balls more effective in T20 or Test cricket?
T20 cricket. Slower balls account for 32% of dismissals in T20s versus only 15% in Tests, as batsmen take more risks in the shorter format.
Final Analysis: Records, Numbers, and Legacy
Let me wrap this up with some perspective.
The slowest ball in cricket history isn’t just about Leigh Kasperek’s 38 kph record. It’s about what these numbers represent.
What the data tells us:
Speed variation (25-40 kph drop) is more important than raw pace. Shoaib Akhtar at 161 kph needed slower balls at 120 kph to be complete. Brett Lee at 155 kph used 118 kph variations. Even medium-pacers like Bravo built entire careers on slower balls.
The evolution is clear:
From 1992 to 2025, slower ball usage has tripled. Success rates have improved by 25%. Batsmen are more aggressive, so bowlers must be smarter.
Modern cricket demands it:
In T20 leagues, you can’t survive on pace alone. The IPL data proves this – slower ball specialists like Bravo, Bumrah, and Rashid Khan dominate the wicket charts despite not being the fastest bowlers.
Women’s cricket shows us:
The slowest ball in cricket history women (38 kph) proves that extreme slowness with perfect flight can be just as lethal as 160 kph rockets. Different tools, same results.
The bottom line:
These top 10 records demonstrate that cricket rewards intelligence over athleticism. A 72 kph delivery can dismiss one of the greatest openers (Sehwag). A 117 kph yorker can win matches (Bravo vs Yuvraj). A 113 kph slower ball can turn Test series (Bumrah vs Marsh).
Remember the fundamental principle: Fast bowling gets you noticed. Smart bowling gets you wickets.
The data doesn’t lie. Variation beats repetition. Brain beats muscle. Timing beats speed.
That’s what makes cricket beautiful – a 38 kph delivery deserves as much respect as a 161 kph thunderbolt.
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