Fast bowling is an art that requires high stamina and strong builds to clock higher speeds. The world of cricket has witnessed lethal fast bowlers who used to scare batsmen with their pace, bounce, and swing. The pace and accuracy that we often see by fast bowlers isn't generated in a single day; it takes years of training and hard work. With them putting immense effort while bowling, bowlers become more prone to injuries than batsmen.

Many bowlers from around the world have defied the odds to bowl at faster speeds. They run in fast and use their body to a great extent to unsettle the batsman. With that in mind, let's have a look at the top 10 bowlers who have bowled the fastest.

Top 10 fastest bowlers in international cricket:

1. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) - 161.3 km/hr vs England, 2003

Known as the "Rawalpindi Express," Shoaib Akhtar delivered the fastest recorded ball in the history of international cricket against England in 2003. Throughout his career, the bowler used to beat batsmen with his lethal pace coupled with a tight line and length.

2. Shaun Tait (Australia) - 161.1 km/hr vs England, 2010

Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait clocked an incredible 161.1 km/hr against England in 2010. Tait was known for his sheer pace and accuracy, which made him even tougher for batters to tackle. He was one of the few bowlers to clock over 150 km/hr on a regular basis during his spell.

3. Brett Lee (Australia) - 161.1 km/hr vs New Zealand, 2005

One of the fastest bowlers in cricket history, Brett Lee reached speeds of 161.1 km/hr against New Zealand in 2005. Lee's pace, swing, and accuracy mixed with aggression made him a big threat for the batters out there.

4. Jeffrey Thomson (Australia) - 160.6 km/hr vs West Indies, 1975

Australian fast bowler Jeffrey Thomson was famous for his fearsome pace, reaching speeds of 160.6 km/hr against the West Indies in 1975. Thomson's speed and aggression made him one of the key figures in international cricket.

5. Mitchell Starc (Australia) - 160.4 km/hr vs New Zealand, 2015

Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been one of the most dominant forces in international cricket. In 2015, the player reached high speeds of 160.4 km/hr against the neighbouring side of New Zealand. Starc's pace, swing, and accuracy have made him a treat to watch for the cricket fans around the world.

6. Andy Roberts (West Indies) - 159.5 km/hr vs Australia, 1975

West Indies' legendary fast bowler Andy Roberts was a pioneer of pace bowling, who used to scare opposition batters with fiery speeds. In 1975, Roberts clocked 159.5 km/hr in a match against Australia. Roberts' speed, swing, and accuracy made him an indomitable force during the 1970s and 80s.

7. Fidel Edwards (West Indies) - 157.7 km/hr vs South Africa, 2003

West Indian fast bowler Fidel Edwards has been one of the most consistent and accurate pace bowlers in international cricket, reaching speeds of 157.7 km/hr against South Africa in 2003. Edwards' pace and aggression have made him a respected figure in the cricketing world.

8. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) - 156.8 km/hr vs England, 2013

Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson emerged to be one of the fast bowling sensations in world cricket. During the Ashes 2013, the bowler reached 156.8 km/hr and proved to be a nightmare for English batters with pace, swing, and accuracy.

9. Mohammed Sami (Pakistan) - 156.4 km/hr vs Zimbabwe, 2003

Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been one of the most consistent and accurate pace bowlers in international cricket, reaching speeds of 156.4 km/hr against Zimbabwe in 2003. Sami was a key bowler in the Pakistani bowling lineup who bowled key match-winning spells during his career.

10. Shane Bond (New Zealand) - 156.4 km/hr vs India, 2003

New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond was a dominant force in international cricket, reaching speeds of 156.4 km/hr against India in 2003. Bond was known for his high pace and swinging deliveries that made it hard for the batsmen to play.