'Clean Bowled' specialists in ODI cricket: All-time Top 5

In the world of cricket, every aspiring youngster dreams to play for his nation at the highest level i.e. The International stage. The proud feeling one attains upon donning the colours of their respective nation is exclusive and demands a great amount of dedication to be its recipient.

Every bowler's fantasy circles around taking wickets at the International stage which is what they strive for. Taking wickets is a special feeling but knocking the opponent's stumps off is something which gives the bowlers a lot of confidence.

Many players try it but only some champion bowlers have been able to master it!

Here we list down top 5 bowlers of all-time who have clean bowled the most number of players in the history of ODI cricket.

#5 Lasith Malinga- 100

England v Sri Lanka - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

The Sri Lankan is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era and it won't be wrong to say that the world will miss an unbelievable cricketer once Lasith Malinga hangs up his boots.

His unique bowling style has troubled many batsmen over the years as even the best of the lot have struggled to cope with Lasith Malinga's vicious yorkers.

Sri Lankan Cricket has relied on Lasith Malinga's prowess to spearhead their bowling attack for numerous years and the swashbuckling pacer hasn't disappointed.

With 330 ODI wickets to his name, Lasith Malinga has been utterly prolific with the ball. What remains quite astonishing is the number of wickets he took by knocking the stumps as the Sri Lankan pacer has clean bowled batsmen on 100 occasions which places him in this elusive list.

Lasith Malinga is a once in a lifetime cricketer who has enthralled fans worldwide with his stunning bowling and unique style. Sri Lanka has had a rich tradition when it comes to producing world-class cricketers and Lasith Malinga is an active part of it.

It's no secret that playing Lasith Malinga is in itself a major task but that doesn't hide the fact that he has had 100 victims bowled in his long illustrious career.

#4 Shahid Afridi-104

2nd One Day International: South Africa v Pakistan

One of the most impactful players of his generation, Shahid Afridi became a household name back in the early part of the 21st century. A man who was well known for his hard-hitting batting, Shahid Afridi terrorised bowlers with his incredible six hitting ability.

While Shahid Afridi was a prolific batsman, but it was his impactful bowling that is the subject here. The former Pakistani skipper was often considered amongst the best allrounders during his day and has a number of records to his name.

Shahid Afridi took a total of 395 ODI wickets in his playing career of which he claimed 104 by bowling the batsmen out cleanly. Not many leg spinners have enjoyed such an amount of success in ODI cricket which is why Shahid Afridi gained a worldwide appreciation for his dexterity.

His presence in the Pakistani camp was often cherished by the fans.

#3 Muttiah Muralitharan- 121

Australia v Sri Lanka - Commonwealth Bank Series

With 534 wickets to his name, Muttiah Muralitharan is the man with most ODI wickets to his name in the history of this beautiful sport. The spinner has an array of records to his name and is often reckoned as the greatest spin bowler to ever grace the field.

Sri Lanka cricket won a majority of trophies with Muttiah Muralitharan's exemplary bowling attributes and it won't be wrong to say that the spinner ranks among the very best cricketers of all time.

Muralitharan's ability to produce outrageous things even on the flattest of tracks is what made him such an asset for Sri Lanka cricket. HIs ability to battle the leading batsmen in the world helped his national side immensely as they possessed a terific home record back in the day when Muttiah Muralitharan was busy giving batsmen nightmares.

Murali clean bowled the opposition batsmen 121 times in his ODI career which places him on the third position on this list.

#2 Waqar Younis- 151

Waqar Younis in action

Pakistan has produced some quality fast bowlers over the years and Waqar Younis was the perfect example of it. The swing bowler had the ability to steal the show with his immaculate bowling and not many batsmen enjoyed a great amount of success against the phenom that was Waqar Younis.

Back in the 90s, Pakistan Cricket Team enjoyed success all over the globe and it won't be wrong to say that Waqar Younis was key to Pakistan's rise on the international scene. His list of achievements is mighty long and utterly impressive! One startling fact to note is that Waqar Younis took 416 wickets in his illustrious ODI career of which 151 were achieved by knocking the stumps out i.e. 151 victims were bowled.

Waqar Younis was a name which frightened batsmen worldwide and his ability to bowl devastating yorkers is something which aided him in taking a plethora of wickets at the international stage.

#1 Wasim Akram- 176

Wasim Akram took a total of 502 wickets in his ODI career

Has the world ever seen a fast bowler as impactful as Wasim Akram? Is there any fast bowler with more ODI wickets to his name than Wasim Akram? Is there any bowler to have clean bowled more opponents that Wasim Akram? The answer to all this is a big fat no!

Wasim Akram was special in every sense and his name is engraved in the records books of crickets courtesy of his invaluable contributions to the sport. Wasim Akram led Pakistan to great heights and his fast bowling has inspired many youngsters.

In total, Wasim Akram took 502 wickets in the 356 ODIs he played in. Of those 502 wickets, Wasim Akram clean bowled the opposition batsmen on 176 occasions which make him the man to have bowled the most number of opponents in the history of ODI cricket.