Top 5 bowlers with the most ODI wickets under lights   

History was created on the November 27th of 1979 as the fabled Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) hosted Australia and West Indies for the inaugural day-night ODI. Since then, the format has spawned more than 3000 matches under lights. One of the telling aspects of day-night cricket stems from the myriad challenges faced by batsmen when starting their innings under lights.

Also Read: 5 batsmen with most ODI runs under lights

While seamers have traditionally enjoyed the prospect of bowling under lights, spinners have also carved a niche for themselves as Asian pitches tend to crumble during the latter parts of ODIs. Let us take a close look at those bowlers with the most wickets in the second innings of day-night ODIs. Interestingly, the top two spots in this particular list are occupied by spinners.

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#5 Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock - 94 wickets

With 94 wickets apiece, Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock jointly occupy the fifth position. Both seamers possessed immense tactical nous and often subjected opposition batsmen to rigorous examinations of technique.

While the Australian metronome took 94 wickets under lights in 65 ODIs at an average of 22.19 and economy-rate of 3.86, the South African all-rounder needed two more matches to obtain the same number of wickets. However, the latter's average of 21.40 and strike-rate of 3.72 are slightly superior.

McGrath picked three five-wicket hauls under lights, all of which came on Australian soil against Asian opponents. His 5/27 at the SCG in 2005 struck at the heart of Pakistan's run-chase. On the other hand, Pollock's solitary such five-for came against England at Johannesburg in 2000.

#4 Lasith Malinga - 98 wickets

One of the modern-day greats in limited-overs cricket, Lasith Malinga has also relished bowling under lights. From 70 such matches, he has picked up 98 wickets at an average of 27.36. While his economy-rate of 5.05 may not compare favourably with the other names in this list, it has to be kept in mind that he has operated predominantly in an era of flatter pitches and shorter boundaries.

Malinga has obtained three five-wicket hauls in the second innings of day-night ODIs. Two of those spells stand out due to their quality. During the third ODI of the 2011 bilateral series against Australia in Hambantota, he prised out the wickets of eminent batsmen such as Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey before cleaning up the tail. In the opening game of the 2014 Asia Cup at Fatullah, he caused a Pakistani lower-order meltdown to eke out a 12-run victory for Sri Lanka.

#3 Brett Lee - 132 wickets

Incredibly quick and extremely lethal at all stages of an ODI, Brett Lee had a much better career in the 50-over format than at Test level. An impressive average of 23.36 in ODIs as against an average of 30.81 in Tests surmises as much. His record under lights is even more remarkable. From 69 such ODIs, the Australian speedster scalped 132 wickets at an average of 20.37 and economy-rate of 4.56.

A deadly strike-rate of 26.7 reflects his ability to wreak havoc in the second innings of day-night ODIs. Lee managed to pick up five five-wicket hauls in such encounters. In his very first ODI series, he gave a befitting glimpse of his destructive prowess. With a vicious spell of fast bowling, the right-arm pacer blew away India at the Adelaide Oval in 2000. The performance remains one of the finest of his stellar limited-overs career.

#2 Shahid Afridi - 134 wickets

The vast majority of cricket aficionados associate Shahid Afridi with his mercurial batting. While he did remain an explosive batsman for the better part of his career, his inimitable style of leg-spin also added an extra element of variety of Pakistan's bowling attack in the limited-overs formats. The all-rounder accounted for 134 wickets from the second innings of 115 day-night ODIs.

Even though his average of 28.90 may not be as exemplary as the other names in this distinguished group of bowlers, Afridi often helped Pakistan strangle opposition lineups in the middle-overs. An economy-rate of 4.63 in those 115 matches stands as testament to his control. While two of his three five-wicket hauls came against Associate teams, the wrist-spinner's 5/35 enabled his team to defend a below-par total of 200 against a strong Sri Lankan batting lineup in Sharjah.

#1 Muttiah Muralitharan - 156 wickets

When one compiles any list pertaining to bowling, one name invariably leads the way. Just like Sachin Tendulkar's presence at the top of most batting records appears inevitable, Muttiah Muralitharan continues to remain in his own league in the catalogue of all time bowling charts. Apart from being the most prolific wicket-taker in the history of both Tests and ODIs, the Sri Lankan wizard is also the highest wicket-taker under lights.

Also Read: Muttiah Muralitharan - The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (and justice?)

As many as 156 of his 534 wickets came in the second innings of day-night ODIs. The off-spinner's astounding average of 19.32 is complemented by a brilliant economy-rate of 3.76 under lights. One of his four such five-wicket hauls also gave him his career best figures of 7/30 against India in the sixth match of the 2000 Coco-Cola Champions Trophy at Sharjah. In what was a powerful expression of classical spin bowling, Muralitharan scythed through the Indian lineup with consummate ease.