by Cricket is a sport that celebrates diversity in every possible way. From different playing styles to various body types, the game has room for everyone who has the skill and determination to succeed.
Over the decades, we’ve seen players of all shapes and sizes make their mark on the international stage, proving that physical attributes alone don’t determine greatness.
When you watch cricket matches today, you’ll notice something interesting. The players don’t all look the same.
Some tower over their teammates, while others stand considerably shorter. Yet on the field, these differences fade away. What matters is how well you can bat, bowl, field, or keep wickets.
The shortest cricketers in the world have consistently demonstrated that height is just a number in this beautiful game.
They’ve scored thousands of runs, taken crucial wickets, captained national teams, and won matches in the most pressure-filled situations. Their achievements speak louder than any measurement could.
Shortest Cricketers In The World
This phenomenon isn’t new. Cricket history is filled with examples of players who defied expectations based on their physical stature.
They worked harder on their technique, developed sharper reflexes, and built mental toughness that helped them compete at the highest level.
What makes these athletes particularly inspiring is their journey. Many faced doubts early in their careers. Coaches questioned their potential.
Selectors hesitated. But they persevered, proving that success in cricket depends on skill, dedication, and heart—not inches or centimeters.
Their stories continue to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Complete Height Comparison: All 10 Players
Here’s the full list of the shortest cricketers in the world with their exact heights:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Height (Feet) | Height (CM) | Role | Playing Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mushfiqur Rahim | Bangladesh | 5’3″ | 160 cm | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Active |
| 2 | Mominul Haque | Bangladesh | 5’3″ | 160 cm | Batsman | Active |
| 3 | Temba Bavuma | South Africa | 5’4″ | 163 cm | Batsman (Captain) | Active |
| 4 | Prithvi Shaw | India | 5’4″ | 163 cm | Opening Batsman | Active |
| 5 | Sarfaraz Khan | India | 5’5″ | 165 cm | Batsman | Active |
| 6 | Ishan Kishan | India | 5’6″ | 168 cm | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Active |
| 7 | Kuldeep Yadav | India | 5’6″ | 168 cm | Bowler (Spinner) | Active |
| 8 | Ajinkya Rahane | India | 5’6″ | 168 cm | Batsman | Active |
| 9 | Rishabh Pant | India | 5’7″ | 170 cm | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Active |
| 10 | Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 5’7″ | 170 cm | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Active |
Key Observation: Bangladesh and India dominate this list. Five Indian cricketers made the top 10, showing that talent matters more than height.
Top 10 Shortest Cricketers: Detailed Profiles
1. Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh) – The Shortest Cricketer
Mushfiqur Rahim holds the title of who is the shortest cricketer in the world in feet at just 5 feet 3 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’3″ |
| Height in CM | 160 cm |
| Height in M | 1.60 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| International Runs | 15,200+ across all formats |
| Test Centuries | 10 |
| ODI Centuries | 9 |
| T20I Runs | 1,700+ |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Career Span | 2005 – Present |
Why He’s Special:
Despite being the shortest cricketer in the world in cm at 160 cm, Mushfiqur Rahim is Bangladesh’s most experienced player. He’s scored runs consistently across all formats for nearly two decades.
His wicketkeeping skills are top-notch. His batting technique is solid. He’s proven that physical height means nothing when you have mental toughness and skill.
Mushfiqur has carried Bangladesh cricket on his shoulders for years. Without him, Bangladesh wouldn’t have won many of its famous victories.
2. Mominul Haque (Bangladesh) – Test Cricket Backbone
Mominul Haque shares the shortest height with Mushfiqur at 5 feet 3 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’3″ |
| Height in CM | 160 cm |
| Height in M | 1.60 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Runs | 4,500+ |
| Test Centuries | 13 |
| Test Average | 38+ |
| Record Achievement | 11 consecutive Test half-centuries |
| Role | Left-handed Batsman |
| Format Specialty | Test Cricket |
Why He’s Special:
Mominul holds an incredible record: 11 consecutive Test half-centuries. That’s consistency at its finest.
He’s become the backbone of Bangladesh’s Test team. When Bangladesh needs runs in tough situations, Mominul delivers.
His left-handed batting style gives bowlers problems. His technique is solid. His concentration is unbreakable.
For someone so short, he plays fast bowlers with amazing confidence. Height doesn’t matter when your technique is perfect.
3. Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – Captain Courage
South Africa’s captain stands at 5 feet 4 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’4″ |
| Height in CM | 163 cm |
| Height in M | 1.63 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Runs | 2,800+ |
| ODI Runs | 1,500+ |
| Test Average | 32+ |
| Captaincy Period | 2022 – Present |
| Role | Batsman & Captain |
| Historic Achievement | First Black African Test captain |
Why He’s Special:
Temba Bavuma isn’t just a short cricketer. He’s a leader, a pioneer, and a symbol of change in South African cricket.
As captain, he’s led South Africa through tough times. His batting is consistent. His leadership is calm and composed.
He’s proven that height doesn’t stop you from leading a nation. His appointment as captain was historic, and he’s handled the responsibility beautifully.
Bavuma plays with heart. Every run he scores feels earned through pure determination.
4. Prithvi Shaw (India) – Aggressive Opener
India’s explosive young opener is 5 feet 4 inches tall.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’4″ |
| Height in CM | 163 cm |
| Height in M | 1.63 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Debut Century | 134 vs West Indies (2018) |
| Test Runs | 800+ (limited matches) |
| IPL Runs | 2,800+ |
| Domestic Runs | 10,000+ (First Class) |
| Role | Opening Batsman |
| Batting Style | Aggressive, attacking |
Why He’s Special:
Prithvi Shaw is the shortest cricketer in India among current opening batsmen, but his batting is anything but small.
He attacks from ball one. Bowlers hate bowling to him because he dominates quickly. His hand-eye coordination is incredible.
Shaw scored a century on his Test debut. That’s rare. Most players take time to settle, but not Shaw.
His IPL performances have been explosive. He can score 30-40 runs in the power play alone, putting bowlers under immediate pressure.
Despite recent struggles with national team selection, Shaw’s talent is undeniable. Expect comebacks.
5. Sarfaraz Khan (India) – The Fighter
Sarfaraz Khan stands at 5 feet 5 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’5″ |
| Height in CM | 165 cm |
| Height in M | 1.65 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Debut | 2024 vs England |
| Test Debut Score | 62 runs |
| Domestic Runs | 7,000+ (First Class) |
| Domestic Average | 70+ (incredible) |
| Role | Middle-Order Batsman |
| Playing Style | Aggressive, fearless |
Why He’s Special:
Sarfaraz Khan waited years for his Test debut. He scored runs in domestic cricket like nobody’s business. His First Class average was over 70—unheard of.
Finally, India gave him a chance in 2024. He grabbed it with both hands, scoring a half-century on debut.
Sarfaraz plays with attitude. He’s not afraid of any bowler. His batting technique is unconventional but effective.
For someone just 165 cm tall, he plays fast bowling with incredible courage. He’s proof that domestic performance eventually gets rewarded.
6. Ishan Kishan (India) – Explosive Wicketkeeper
Ishan Kishan is 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’6″ |
| Height in CM | 168 cm |
| Height in M | 1.68 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| ODI Runs | 900+ |
| T20I Runs | 800+ |
| IPL Runs | 2,600+ |
| Fastest ODI Double Century | 210 vs Bangladesh (2nd fastest ever) |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Playing Style | Aggressive, hard-hitting |
Why He’s Special:
Ishan Kishan plays cricket like he’s on a mission. He hits hard, plays fearlessly, and keeps wickets brilliantly.
His double century against Bangladesh came at lightning speed. It was the second-fastest ODI double century in history.
In T20 cricket, Kishan can change games in the powerplay. His strike rate is often above 150, which puts opposition teams under immediate pressure.
Currently, he faces stiff competition for India’s wicketkeeper spot. But his talent ensures he’ll be back in the playing XI soon.
7. Kuldeep Yadav (India) – Spin Wizard
Kuldeep Yadav is 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’6″ |
| Height in CM | 168 cm |
| Height in M | 1.68 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| ODI Wickets | 150+ |
| Test Wickets | 50+ |
| T20I Wickets | 50+ |
| Hat-tricks | 2 (in ODIs) |
| Bowling Style | Left-arm Chinaman (wrist spin) |
| Specialty | Variations, googly, flipper |
Why He’s Special:
Kuldeep Yadav is a rare breed. He’s a left-arm wrist spinner, also called a “Chinaman” bowler. Very few bowlers have this skill.
He’s taken two ODI hat-tricks. That’s incredible consistency and skill at the highest level.
Kuldeep’s variations confuse batsmen. His googly is hard to read. His flipper is deadly. His regular delivery spins sharply.
For someone just 168 cm tall, he generates surprising bounce and turn. Batsmen often struggle to pick his variations.
8. Ajinkya Rahane (India) – Elegant Batsman
Ajinkya Rahane stands at 5 feet 6 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’6″ |
| Height in CM | 168 cm |
| Height in M | 1.68 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Runs | 5,000+ |
| Test Centuries | 12 |
| ODI Runs | 2,900+ |
| Overseas Test Centuries | 7 (exceptional) |
| Role | Middle-Order Batsman |
| Captaincy Achievement | Led India to the BGT 2020-21 win |
Why He’s Special:
Ajinkya Rahane is a class personified. His batting technique is textbook perfect. His drives are beautiful. His defense is solid.
Rahane excels overseas. Most of his Test centuries have come in England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. That’s not easy.
He led India to a historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21 when Virat Kohli was unavailable. That win cemented his legacy.
Rahane plays with elegance. He doesn’t smash the ball—he caresses it. His timing makes up for his shorter height.
9. Rishabh Pant (India) – Fearless Keeper
Rishabh Pant is 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’7″ |
| Height in CM | 170 cm |
| Height in M | 1.70 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Runs | 2,400+ |
| Test Centuries | 5 |
| ODI Runs | 900+ |
| Fastest Test Century (India) | 89 balls vs Sri Lanka |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Playing Style | Aggressive, fearless |
Why He’s Special:
Rishabh Pant plays cricket like he has nothing to lose. He attacks the best bowlers in the world without fear.
His Test centuries have come in tough situations against quality attacks. He’s rescued India multiple times with counter-attacking innings.
Pant’s wicketkeeping has improved dramatically. He’s now one of the best keeper-batsmen in world cricket.
After recovering from a serious car accident in 2022, Pant’s comeback has been inspirational. He’s proven his mental toughness matches his talent.
10. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – Consistent Performer
Mohammad Rizwan stands at 5 feet 7 inches.
Height Details:
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height in Feet | 5’7″ |
| Height in CM | 170 cm |
| Height in M | 1.70 m |
Career Highlights:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Runs | 1,500+ |
| ODI Runs | 1,800+ |
| T20I Runs | 3,300+ |
| T20I Average | 42+ (exceptional) |
| Role | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Format Specialty | T20 Cricket |
Why He’s Special:
Mohammad Rizwan is Pakistan’s most consistent performer in recent years. He rarely fails with the bat.
His T20I average of over 42 is incredible. Most T20 batsmen average around 25-30. Rizwan’s consistency stands out.
He opens the batting and keeps wickets brilliantly. That’s double the workload, but Rizwan handles it effortlessly.
In crucial matches, Rizwan delivers. Pakistan relies on him heavily, and he rarely lets them down.
Tallest and Shortest Cricketers: The Extremes
Here’s how the tallest and shortest cricketers compare:
| Category | Player Name | Height (Feet) | Height (CM) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shortest (Active) | Mushfiqur Rahim | 5’3″ | 160 cm | Bangladesh |
| Shortest (Active) | Mominul Haque | 5’3″ | 160 cm | Bangladesh |
| Tallest (Active) | Mohammad Irfan | 7’1″ | 216 cm | Pakistan |
| Tallest (All-Time) | Mohammad Irfan | 7’1″ | 216 cm | Pakistan |
| Shortest (All-Time) | Kruger van Wyk | 5’2″ | 157 cm | New Zealand |
The Difference:
The tallest cricketer (Mohammad Irfan at 7’1″) is 56 cm taller than the shortest (Mushfiqur Rahim at 5’3″). That’s nearly 2 feet of height difference!
Yet both have succeeded at the international level. That proves height is just a number in cricket.
Shortest Cricketer in the World List by Region
Here’s the shortest cricketer in the world list broken down by country:
| Country | Shortest Player | Height | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Mushfiqur Rahim | 5’3″ | Active |
| India | Prithvi Shaw | 5’4″ | Active |
| South Africa | Temba Bavuma | 5’4″ | Active (Captain) |
| Pakistan | Mohammad Rizwan | 5’7″ | Active |
| Australia | David Warner | 5’7″ | Retired 2024 |
| England | Jos Buttler | 5’10” | Active |
| New Zealand | Kruger van Wyk | 5’2″ | Retired |
Regional Observation:
Asian cricketers (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan) dominate the shortest players list. This makes sense as average heights in South Asia are generally shorter than in countries like Australia or England.
But these players have competed equally against taller opponents and succeeded.
FAQ: Common Questions About Short Cricketers
- Q: Who is the shortest cricketer in the world of all time?
Kruger van Wyk from New Zealand holds this record at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm). He played as a wicketkeeper-batsman for New Zealand in the early 2010s.
- Q: Does height really matter in cricket?
Not really. While tall bowlers might get extra bounce and tall batsmen have longer reach, cricket is mostly about skill, technique, and mental strength. Many of the greatest cricketers were short.
- Q: Who is the shortest cricketer currently playing?
Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque (both from Bangladesh) are tied at 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm).
- Q: Why are so many Indian cricketers on this list?
India has a massive cricket talent pool. With over 1.4 billion people, India produces cricketers of all heights. Also, the average height in India is shorter than in Western countries, so more short cricketers emerge naturally.
- Q: Can short cricketers become fast bowlers?
Yes, but it’s harder. Height helps generate bounce and pace. However, short fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah (5’9″) have succeeded through unique actions and skill.
- Q: Who is the shortest cricketer to captain a national team?
Temba Bavuma (5’4″) currently captains South Africa, making him one of the shortest captains in modern cricket.
Conclusion: Height Is Just A Number
The Shortest Cricketers In The World prove something important: greatness has nothing to do with how tall you stand.
Mushfiqur Rahim, at 5’3 has scored over 15,000 international runs.
Mominul Haque has 13 Test centuries. Temba Bavuma captains a nation. Prithvi Shaw attacks fearlessly despite being just 5’4″.
These players face the same bowlers, the same pressures, and the same challenges as their taller teammates.
Yet they succeed because they have skill, determination, and heart.
Cricket rewards talent, not height. It rewards mental toughness, not physical size.
Young cricketers who worry about being short should remember these names. Study their techniques.
Watch their matches. See how they’ve overcome any height disadvantage through pure skill.
The Shortest in Height Cricketers In The World are giants in their own right. They’ve earned respect through performances, not inches.
So next time someone tells you that you’re too short for cricket, remember Mushfiqur Rahim. Remember Sachin Tendulkar. Remember that legends come in all sizes.
Play with heart. Train with dedication. Believe in your skill.
Height doesn’t define cricketers. Character does. And these short cricketers have character in abundance. 🏏
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