Longest Over in Cricket History – Mohammad Sami’s 17-Ball Nightmare (2025 Updated)

Mohammad Sami 17 balls over is the longest in ODI Cricket
Mohammad Sami 17 balls over is the longest in ODI Cricket

Introduction: The Longest Over in Cricket?

In One Day International (ODI) cricket, a standard over consists of 6 legal deliveries. But what happens when extras like wides and no-balls pile up? The result: historically long overs.

The longest over in ODI cricket history was bowled by Pakistan’s Mohammad Sami—17 deliveries in a single over. This article explores that over and others that followed in its chaotic footsteps.

Playing against Bangladesh at the Asia Cup, Sami opened the bowling with Shabbir Ahmed, and after bowling a brilliant maiden over, he went on to have himself a wild 17-ball over which included seven wides and four no-balls for 22 runs in all (full scorecard).

Highlights

  • Mohammad Sami bowled the longest over in cricket in 2004.
  • The over consisted of 17 balls, including 7 wides and 4 no-balls.
  • The over was bowled against Bangladesh in an ODI match in Colombo.
  • The over cost Pakistan 22 runs, but still Pakistan was able to beat Bangladesh and win the match.
  • Sami’s over still stands as the longest over in ODI history.

Mohammad Sami’s 17-Ball Over – The Longest in ODI History

In July 2004, during an Asia Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Colombo, Mohammad Sami created an infamous record.

  • Total Deliveries: 17 balls
  • Extras: 7 wides + 4 no-balls
  • Runs Conceded: 22 runs
  • Date: 12 March 2004

The over was part of Pakistan’s early bowling spell. Despite this erratic performance, Pakistan eventually won the match.

Top 5 Longest Over in Cricket.

Mohammad Sami bowled Longest over in ODI cricket. A 17 Ball Over

Yes you read it right. In the ODI Cricket history there is a 17 Ball over bowled by Pakistan’s Mohammed Sami. This is a match between Bangladesh and Pakistan on 12th of March at Colombo in Asia Cup in July 2004.

Ball-by-Ball Breakdown

The over included a flurry of extras, including:

  • First Ball: Wide
  • Next 3 Legal Balls: 4, 2, 1
  • Followed by: 2 no-balls, 2 wides, 1 dot
  • Ending With: More wides, no-balls, and a final 4

The over is still remembered as one of the most bizarre events in ODI bowling history.

Top 5 Longest Overs in ODI Cricket

RankPlayerBalls BowledExtrasYearMatch
1Mohammad Sami1711 (7 wd, 4 nb)2004Pakistan vs Bangladesh
2Daan van Bunge1610 extras2006Netherlands vs Sri Lanka
3Suranga Lakmal159 extras2014Sri Lanka vs India
4Younis Khan148 extras2000Pakistan vs England
5R Vinay Kumar148 extras2013India vs Australia

Pakistan vs Bangladesh Asia cup Mohammed Sami 17 ball over

Pakistan opening bowlers Shabbir Ahmed and Mohammed Sami started the spell as usual. But who knows after the over, there will be an unwanted records of “Longest over in ODI” against this new Pakistani bowling sensation. Mohammed Sami bowled Bangladesh opener Ashraful in his first over. At the end of 2 overs Bangladesh score was 6 runs for 1 wicket.

Mohammed Shami started the third over with a wide. The second ball which was the first legit ball, Habibul Bashar smashed a fore. Habibul Bashar again scored 2 runs on the second delivery of Sami’s over.

From here the panic started. Sami first bowled a no ball and then a wide. On the third legit ball, Habibul scored a single. Sami again bowled a no ball and then two consecutive wides.

Next ball was a dot ball and after that Sami bowled a wide, than a no ball, then two consecutive wides and again a no ball.

Most balls bowled in an over

Semi finished this over with 4 on the last ball. Sami conceded total 22 runs in this longest 17 Ball over in ODI cricket history (check ball by ball over details, [go to 3rd over])

Mohammed Sami, wickets against all of the top cricketing nations

Mohammed Sami is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented his country at the international level. He is a right-arm fast bowler who made his debut for the Pakistani national team in 2001.

Mohammed Sami, Longest over in ODI

Sami has had a successful career for Pakistan, taking over 200 wickets in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He has also represented Pakistan in Test matches, although he has not had as much success in the longer format of the game.

Sami is known for his pace and ability to swing the ball, which has made him a formidable opponent for batsmen around the world. He has taken wickets against all of the top cricketing nations and has been a key player in Pakistan’s limited overs teams.

In addition to his international career, Sami has also played domestic cricket in Pakistan and has represented a number of teams in Pakistan Super League (PSL), a professional Twenty20 league in the country.

Mohammad Sami controversies, banned for two years

Sami has had his fair share of controversies during his career. In 2010, he was banned for two years for failing a drug test, although the ban was later reduced to one year on appeal. He has also been involved in several on-field altercations, including a physical confrontation with Indian player Gautam Gambhir in 2006.

Despite these controversies, Sami remains a popular figure in Pakistan and is respected for his contributions to the national team. He continues to play cricket at the domestic and international level and is seen as a valuable asset for Pakistan in the shorter formats of the game.

Mohammad Sami’s 17-ball over is a lasting reminder of how unpredictable cricket can be. While his name is etched in history for this bizarre event, it also highlights how pressure and inexperience can lead to dramatic results.

image 27 Longest Over in Cricket History – Mohammad Sami's 17-Ball Nightmare (2025 Updated)

FAQs

What is the longest over in cricket history?

Over of 17 balls bowled by Pakistan’s Mohammad Sami.

Who bowled the longest over?

Mohammad Sami. With 7 wides and 4 no balls, sami bowled an over of 17 balls. He has given 22 runs in that over.

Why is an over of 6 balls?

Though there is no official record that why the rules are changed from 8 balls over to 6 ball over but it is mostly accepted that because of commercialization of cricket all the boards mutually decided for 6 balls over after 1978-79.

Who bowled the longest over in terms of balls in international cricket?

Pakistan’s Mohammad Sami – 17 balls over. He is Longest Over in Cricket.

Has Mohammed Sami faced any controversies during his career?

Yes, Mohammed Sami has faced several controversies during his career. In 2010, he was banned for two years for failing a drug test, although the ban was later reduced to one year on appeal. He has also been involved in several on-field altercations, including a physical confrontation with Indian player Gautam Gambhir in 2006.

Where is Mohammed Sami from?

Mohammed Sami is from Karachi, Pakistan. Sami has represented Pakistan at the international level and has also played domestic cricket in Pakistan. He holds the record of Longest Over in Cricket.

How many extras did Sami bowl in that Longest Over in Cricket?

Total 11 extras – 7 wides and 4 no-balls.

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