The International Cricket Council (ICC) he revealed Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024 January 24, marking a year of outstanding performances by players from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A year of missed opportunities for India
Interestingly, the team ruled out an Indian, an Australian, a South African and England players, with India notably failing to win any of their three ODIs played during the year. India’s exclusion from the ICC ODI Team of the Year was a result of their poor performance in ODI 2024, when they lost all three matches against Sri Lanka. The absence of Indian, Australian, South African and English players highlighted the dominance of emerging cricketing nations like Afghanistan and the resurgence of teams like Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the ODI format. This year’s selection also highlights the growing influence of players from cricket’s less traditional powerhouses, reflecting the increasingly competitive nature of ODI cricket worldwide.
ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024: Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan dominate
Openers: Saim Ayub and Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan): The young left-hander emerged as a revelation in 2024, scoring 515 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 64.67. Ayub’s impressive performances included a century against Zimbabwe and an outstanding contribution in the series against Australia.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): Gurbaz’s dynamic batting at the top produced 531 runs in 11 matches. Known for his explosive starts, he made significant contributions against teams like Ireland, South Africa and Bangladesh.
Middle order: Sri Lanka’s consistent trio
- Pathum Nissanka: Batting at number three, Nissanka amassed 694 runs in 12 matches at an incredible average of 106. His consistency was key to Sri Lanka’s success.
- Charith Asalanka (captain): The Sri Lankan skipper led by example, scoring 742 runs in 17 matches, showing his ability to anchor the innings and step up when needed. Asalanka’s leadership qualities earned him the captaincy of the ODI XI.
- Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper): Mendis’ contribution as a middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper has been invaluable. He scored 742 runs in 17 matches, equaling Asalanka’s run total and providing stability.
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All-rounders and finishers
- Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies): Playing the role of a finisher, Rutherford scored 429 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 120, with an incredible average of 106.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan): The reliable all-rounder scored 417 runs in 12 matches and picked up 17 wickets, proving his mettle with both bat and ball.
Catchers: Wanindu Hasaranga and Allah Ghazanfar
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): Hasaranga’s spin wizardry earned him 26 wickets in 10 matches, with an outstanding performance from 7/19making it a key asset for Sri Lanka.
- Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan): The unsporting teenager made waves by taking 21 wickets in 11 matches, showing exceptional control and maturity.
Pacers: Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf
- Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan): Known for his lethal spells with the new ball, Afridi took 15 wickets in six matches, maintaining his status as one of the best fast bowlers.
- Haris Rauf (Pakistan): Complementing Afridi, Rauf took 13 wickets in eight games, often making crucial breakthroughs for Pakistan.
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