Saim, Shaheen and Ruaf among ICC ODI team of the year 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024, featuring Pakistan’s pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf and emerging opener Saim Ayub, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

The ICC ODI Team of the Year 2024 includes four players from Sri Lanka and three players each from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Additionally, there is one player from the West Indies.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Charith Asalanka has been named captain of the team following an impressive year with both bat and ball. He consistently performed for his team, scoring 605 runs at an average of 50.2 and taking ten key wickets.

Pathum Nissanka, a top-order batter from Sri Lanka, also made the team after smashing a double hundred against Afghanistan in February 2024.

He accumulated 694 runs at an average of 63.1, with an impressive strike rate of 106.4. Alongside his double hundred, he scored two additional centuries and two half-centuries during the year.

Kusal Mendis is the third Sri Lankan player in the ODI Team of the Year 2024, having scored a remarkable 742 runs—the highest by any player in ODIs during the year.

He maintained an average of 53 and scored at a strike rate of 90.6, which included one century and six half-centuries.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the fourth player in the line-up, having taken 26 wickets across ten games at an average of 15.6.

Hasaranga’s 7/19 against Zimbabwe in January is the fifth-best return in an innings in ODI history, joining an elite club of bowlers that have taken seven scalps in a match.

Saim Ayub was the break-out star from Pakistan, earning his place with a stellar performance throughout the year.

The left-handed batsman scored 515 runs in just nine innings at an average of 64.37, demonstrating consistency and flair at the top of the order.

He also took five wickets at an average of 27.80, playing a crucial role in several of Pakistan’s victories, including a historic whitewash of South Africa in their backyard, where he was named Player of the Series.

Joining Ayub are Pakistan’s pace duo, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Afridi dominated with the new ball, claiming 15 wickets in six matches at an average of 17.60. His lethal yorkers and swing deliveries made him a nightmare for opposing batters.

Meanwhile, Haris contributed with raw pace and accuracy, securing 13 wickets in eight matches. His ability to strike during the death overs was vital for Pakistan He was named Player of the Series in Pakistan’s historic 2-1 victory against Australia.

Afghanistan’s swashbuckling wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz also found a place in the line-up after scoring 531 Runs at an average of 48.2, including three centuries and two half-centuries.

His team-mates all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai and young spinner AM Ghazanfar were the other two players from the country in the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2024.

Omarzai contributed both with the bat and ball, scoring 417 Runs and taking 17 wickets during the year, playing a key role for his team.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Ghazanfar made an immediate impact after making his ODI debut in March against Ireland.

He became the fifth-youngest player to take a five-for in an ODI, picking up 6/26 against Bangladesh in November. He took 21 wickets in 11 games last year at an average of 13.57.

West Indies’ power-hitter Sherfane Rutherford also enjoyed a stellar form in 2024, which earned him a place in the ODI team of the year.

He scored 425 runs in nine games at a brilliant average of 106.2. He displayed his impressive power-hitting abilities as he scored at a brisk strike-rate of 120.1.

ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024
Saim Ayub (Pakistan), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka), Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka – Wicketkeeper), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka – Captain), Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies), Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Haris Rauf (Pakistan), AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)