ICC Men ODI Team Of The Year 2024 Announced
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024, which features some of the brightest stars contributing to the game of 50-over cricket. This year’s team is a diverse mixture of players reflecting a wide spectrum of cricketing abilities from different parts of the world. Here we take a look into what each player selected for this prestigious accolade stands for, and on whose performances this year have made an impact in the world of cricket.
At the top of the order is Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, who has risen to prominence as an energetic opening batsman. His bristling attack always grants his team that stone-rolling momentum right from the start-both with the bat and during the innings. His ability to soak up lessons from contrasting conditions has granted him stiff stiff farming support in the ODI format. His elevation to the Team of the Year also represents the incredible sharp climb he is making in international cricket.
9 Matches, 515 Runs, 113 no Highest Score, 64.37 Average, 105.53 Strike Rate, 3 Centuries, 1 Half-century
Next on the bench is explosive opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan, who undoubtedly is one of the world’s brightest openers. Gurbaz’s innate ability to shove the ball right back at the new box from the onset fired a barrage back at the opposing side, providing his team with blistering starts and sturdy totals. Add in books by year through fearlessness, and performance where it counts, and you can see what’s made it into the prestigious line-up of the year.
11 Matches, 531 Runs, 121 Highest Score, 48.2 Average, 89.7 Strike Rate, 3 Centuries, 2 Half-Centuries
Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka has been an eye-opener in the opening slot. Subtle stroke play combined with a stout technique translates into him shepherding many an innings for his side. His maturity and unshakable ability to gleam moments with reasonable differences have since become conspicuous elements of this year’s Sri Lanka ODI strategy, while thoroughly cementing his influence into the team of the year.
12 Matches, 694 Runs, 210 Highest Score, 63.1 Average, 106.4 Strike Rate, 3 Centuries, 2 Half-Centuries
Joining Nissanka in the middle order is his fellow compatriot Kusal Mendis. Mendis is a batter out of the ordinary who can consolidate batting at one stage or go berserk the next based on the game requirements. The year 2024 has been a show of maturity with Mendis while batting, especially in pressure matches, often swinging the pendulum for Sri Lanka’s favour with his innings turned match-winner.
17 Matches, 742 Runs, 143 Highest Score, 53 Average, 90.6 Strike Rate, 1 Century, 6 Half-Centuries
Number five is Charith Asalanka, perhaps the most vital player for Sri Lanka, given his stability and ability to finish games. He has been calm with his sensible ability of rotating the strike. His role in pushing his team’s middle order was one of slow accumulation and an eventual burst of aggression, which played a major role in Sri Lanka’s tactics during the year.
16 Matches, 605 Runs, 101 Highest Score, 50.2 Average, 97.1 Strike Rate, 1 Century, 4 Half-Centuries
Afghani Azmatullah Omarzai is another one, who is an all-rounder, yet looks extremely valuable as well. His batting and bowling influences have both been evident this year. His medium pacers have consistently brought about the breaking of partnerships, while all-knowing the runs from middle and lower order has made him decide matches on several occasions.
12 Matches, 417 Runs, 149 Highest Score, 52.1 Average, 105.6 Strike Rate, 1 Century, 3 Half-Centuries, 17 Wickets, 4/18 Best Bowling
Sherfan Rutherford from the West Indies comes lower down in the order as a blast. He can hit boundaries, and with this high strike rate, he has proved to be a game-changer in the lower middle order. With some thrilling performances, Rutherford has wowed the fans and turned matches, rightfully earning him a spot in the team of the year.
9 Matches, 425 Runs, 113 Highest Score, 106.2 Average, 120.1 Strike Rate, 1 Century, 4 Half-Centuries
A leg-spin artist from Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga has been the one creating the most impact for his side. He has delivered at key times, with the ball in his hand. If you throw an extra layer of batting in the mix, it would only add another feather to his inclusion. Hasaranga has been the side’s protagonist in dictating terms for the batters, thereby playing an integral role in Sri Lanka’s success in the year.
10 Matches, 26 Wickets, 15.6 Bowling Average, 7/19 Best Bowling
The pace attack is spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan, whose left-arm pace has been an absolute nightmare for many batters. Swinging the new ball and his death bowling have been instrumental to this. His performances during the year of 2024 have reasserted him into the conversation for one of the best fast bowlers in the world.
6 Matches, 15 Wickets, 17.6 Bowling Average, 4/47 Best Bowling
With him is Haris Rauf, another Pakistani player who supports Afridi’s bowling with his own brand of express pace and clever variations. Rauf’s ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and in the death overs makes him an invaluable contributor in this year’s One-Day International side.
8 Matches, 13 Wickets, 22.4 Bowling Average, 5/29 Best Bowling
Among them, Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar, who has been introduced as the spinner, marks the beginning of a transformative year in his career. Ghazanfar’s off-spin has got success particularly in maintaining control in the middle overs and breaking partnerships with it. His performance has been the silver lining for Afghanistan, shining light on his career as the next big thing in the world of cricket.
11 Matches, 21 Wickets, 13.57 Average, 6/26 Best Bowling
This one-day team for 2024 epitomizes individual brilliancy while also highlighting the tactical depth and talent pool in international cricket. Each player has triumphantly contributed to their state teams while also playing decisive roles in crucial matches, therefore, making this selection an ode of recognition to their hard labor, skill set, and the impact they made in cricketing year. From aggressive openers to tactical finishers and flexible all-rounders, this team rallies up a colorful illustration of the evolving landscape of ODI cricket, thus in for exciting times in international cricket.
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