The phrase fastest ball in cricket has been trending since yesterday as Mitchell Starc delivered a 176.5 km/h delivery during the India vs Australia match; however, the question raised by fans and cricket enthusiasts about whether Starc broke Shoaib Akhtar’s record. The fastest ball in cricket is still held by Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, with a 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) delivery against England’s Nick Knight during the 2003 ICC World Cup in Cape Town.
Mitchell Starc Fastest Ball
During India vs Australia 1st ODI in Perth on 19 October 2025, a viral delivery of Mitchell Starc’s fastest ball at 176.5 km/h, shocked everyone globally, thinking the Australian player had broken Akhtar’s 20-year-old record. But later, it was confirmed that there had been a technical malfunction by the officials since other broadcasters recorded the same delivery at 140.8 km/h, which was around the pace range of Starc.
Starc’s verified top speed remains 160.4 km/h (99.66 mph), recorded during the 2015 Perth Test against New Zealand, which stands as the fastest ball by Mitchell Starc in official cricket.
World Fastest Ball Record Still Held by Shoaib Akhtar
The world fastest ball in official international cricket continues to be Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h delivery. No bowler, including Starc, Brett Lee, or Shaun Tait, has exceeded it under ICC-verified conditions.
Top Speeds in International Cricket (Updated 2025)
- Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) – 161.3 km/h
- Shaun Tait (Australia) – 161.1 km/h
- Brett Lee (Australia) – 161.1 km/h
- Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 160.4 km/h
While Starc fastest ball headlines briefly trended online, the official record books remain unchanged — Shoaib Akhtar’s “Rawalpindi Express” continues to hold the world fastest ball title in cricket history.
 delivery against England’s Nick Knight during the 2003 ICC World Cup in Cape Town.){kind=link}