Taking five wickets in a single One Day International (ODI) innings is one of the greatest achievements for any bowler. A five-wicket haul requires excellent control, smart tactics, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure against quality batting line-ups. Although many bowlers reach their peak during their younger years, several experienced cricketers have continued to produce outstanding performances well into their late thirties. Their success proves that skill, patience, and experience can often be more valuable than speed or youthful energy.
The Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs have shown that age is never a barrier to excellence in international cricket. These veteran bowlers relied on their knowledge of the game, clever variations, and accurate bowling to trouble even the best batters. Instead of depending on raw pace, they used experience to understand match situations and execute their plans perfectly. Many of these memorable spells helped their teams secure important victories and became defining moments in their long careers.
List of 10 Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs
10. Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan begins this list of the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs after producing another exceptional bowling display late in his international career. Playing against Zimbabwe, the legendary off-spinner claimed outstanding figures of 5 wickets for only 29 runs. His ability to spin the ball sharply in both directions, combined with excellent control and remarkable consistency, made batting extremely difficult throughout the innings.
Muralitharan’s unforgettable spell highlighted why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history. His remarkable performance earned him a deserved place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs, showing that exceptional skill and experience can help bowlers succeed regardless of age.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 36 years, 227 days | 5/29 | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
9. Wasim Akram
Pakistan’s legendary left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram occupies ninth place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. During the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, Akram produced a masterclass in swing bowling by taking 5 wickets for just 28 runs against Namibia. His ability to swing the new ball, bowl deadly yorkers, and mix his pace perfectly made him almost impossible to score against.
This memorable five-wicket haul further strengthened Akram’s incredible legacy in ODI cricket. His performance showed that world-class fast bowlers can continue dominating international cricket through intelligence, discipline, and precision, securing his place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | 36 years, 258 days | 5/28 | Pakistan | Namibia |
READ MORE: Top 10 Bowlers with the Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODI Career
8. Shakeel Ahmed
Oman’s experienced spinner Shakeel Ahmed features among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs after delivering an outstanding bowling performance against the United Arab Emirates. The left-arm spinner finished with remarkable figures of 5 wickets for only 23 runs, producing one of the best spells of his international career.
At 36 years and 277 days, Shakeel Ahmed proved that experienced bowlers can still make a huge impact at the international level. His impressive five-wicket haul earned him a well-deserved place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs, highlighting how control and smart bowling can outperform raw pace.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakeel Ahmed | 36 years, 277 days | 5/23 | Oman | United Arab Emirates |
7. Richard Hadlee
Richard Hadlee remains one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever cricketers and proudly features among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. The legendary fast bowler delivered a superb spell of 5 wickets for 38 runs against Pakistan, using outstanding line and length, subtle seam movement, and exceptional discipline to dominate the opposition batting line-up.
Hadlee’s memorable five-wicket haul remains one of the finest performances by a veteran fast bowler in ODI cricket. His outstanding display showed that experience, patience, and tactical awareness are often the key ingredients for success, earning him a deserved place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Hadlee | 37 years, 218 days | 5/38 | New Zealand | Pakistan |
6. Viv Richards
Sir Viv Richards is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history, but he also deserves recognition among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. While most fans remember Richards for his fearless batting, he produced one of the finest bowling performances of his career against India. The West Indies captain stunned the opposition by taking 6 wickets for 41 runs with his effective medium-pace bowling, proving that he was capable of changing matches with both bat and ball.
At 37 years and 230 days, Richards showed that experience and tactical awareness could overcome younger opponents. He used clever variations in pace, maintained disciplined lines, and forced the Indian batters into making mistakes. His ability to read the conditions and adapt his bowling strategy made him extremely effective despite not being a specialist bowler. This remarkable spell remains one of the most memorable all-round performances in ODI history.
5. Tim Murtagh
Tim Murtagh is another experienced bowler who deserves a place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. The Irish fast bowler produced one of the best performances of his ODI career when he dismissed Zimbabwe with remarkable figures of 5 wickets for 21 runs. His excellent control of line and length, along with subtle seam movement, created constant problems for the opposition batters throughout the innings.
Unlike many modern fast bowlers who depend mainly on pace, Murtagh relied on accuracy, discipline, and years of experience. He consistently bowled in the right areas, forcing batters into mistakes and building pressure with every over. His outstanding bowling spell helped Ireland dominate the match and highlighted how veteran bowlers can still make a significant impact in international cricket. This memorable performance firmly places him among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Murtagh | 37 years, 336 days | 5/21 | Ireland | Zimbabwe |
4. SF Dukanwala
SF Dukanwala occupies fourth place on the list of the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. Representing the United Arab Emirates, Dukanwala produced a brilliant spell against the Netherlands, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 5 wickets for 29 runs. His disciplined bowling and ability to maintain consistent accuracy helped the UAE gain complete control of the match.
Playing at nearly 40 years of age, Dukanwala showed that patience and experience are valuable qualities in limited-overs cricket. He rarely gave away easy scoring opportunities and forced the opposition into making mistakes. His excellent performance remains one of the finest bowling displays by a UAE cricketer and secures his place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF Dukanwala | 39 years, 40 days | 5/29 | United Arab Emirates | Netherlands |
3. Mohammad Nabi
Mohammad Nabi has enjoyed one of the longest and most successful international careers in Afghanistan cricket. His outstanding spell of 5 wickets for just 17 runs against Ireland earned him a deserved place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. The experienced off-spinner used his clever variations, flight, and control to dominate the opposition batting line-up.
Even after many years at the international level, Nabi continued to perform consistently with both bat and ball. His calm approach, leadership, and tactical awareness made him one of Afghanistan’s most dependable players. This remarkable five-wicket haul proved once again that experienced bowlers can still deliver match-winning performances and strengthened his position among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Nabi | 39 years, 71 days | 5/17 | Afghanistan | Ireland |
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2. Imran Tahir
Imran Tahir ranks second among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs after producing one of the greatest bowling performances of his career for South Africa. The attacking leg-spinner claimed sensational figures of 6 wickets for 24 runs against Zimbabwe, destroying the opposition batting order with his sharp turn and aggressive bowling.
Tahir remained a dangerous wicket-taking bowler despite being 39 years old. His energetic approach, attacking mindset, and ability to deceive batters with flight and variations allowed him to dominate ODI cricket for many years. His exceptional performance remains one of South Africa’s finest ODI bowling displays and confirms his place among the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imran Tahir | 39 years, 190 days | 6/24 | South Africa | Zimbabwe |
1. Sunil Dhaniram
Sunil Dhaniram holds the record for the oldest player to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs. Representing Canada, the experienced spinner delivered a memorable bowling performance against Bermuda by taking 5 wickets for 32 runs. At 39 years and 256 days old, he became the oldest player in ODI history to record a five-wicket haul.
Dhaniram relied on accuracy, patience, and clever spin bowling to outsmart the opposition. Rather than depending on speed, he focused on placing the ball in the right areas and forcing batters into making mistakes. His historic achievement continues to stand as an outstanding example of longevity in international cricket. His remarkable spell secures his place at the top of the Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs list and remains one of the greatest bowling performances by a veteran player in ODI history.
| Player | Age | Bowling Figures | Team | Opposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Dhaniram | 39 years, 256 days | 5/32 | Canada | Bermuda |
The Oldest Players to Take Five Wickets in an Innings in ODIs have shown that age is never a barrier to success in international cricket. Players such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Wasim Akram, Richard Hadlee, Viv Richards, Tim Murtagh, Mohammad Nabi, Imran Tahir, and Sunil Dhaniram all produced remarkable bowling performances during the later stages of their careers. Their experience, tactical awareness, discipline, and consistency allowed them to outperform younger opponents and deliver match-winning spells. These legendary cricketers continue to inspire future generations and prove that skill and experience remain priceless qualities in ODI cricket.