Sports Digest’s ODI Team Of 2024: 2024 is coming to an end, and this year turned out to be a blockbuster one for the cricketers and its fans in the longest and shortest formats of the game; however, it wasn’t much eventful for those involved in the One-Day Internationals. In 2024, all the focus of the cricketing world was on the T20 World Cup and Test cricket, and as expected, ODI format didn’t get much attention.
However, there were a few ODI games that took place this year, and there were several cricketers who showcased their class in the ODI format of the game.
Meanwhile, in the article, Sports Digest will form their ODI Team of 2024, with some fresh faces included in the list and with some surprising exclusions. Several big names like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have failed to find a place in Sports Digest’s ODI team of 2024.
Sports Digest’s ODI Team Of 2024:
Openers:
Saim Ayub, Pathum Nissanka:
It has to be noted that among all the cricketing-playing nations, Sri Lanka played the most number of ODI games, and their players made the most of it. Pathum Nissanka stood out as one of their rising stars, amassing 694 runs in 12 games at an average of 63 and a strike rate over 100.
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His opening partner Saim Ayub turned out to be a breakout star from Pakistan. Ayub impressed in different conditions, scoring a 53-ball century in Zimbabwe and hitting twin centuries to help Pakistan beat South Africa 3-0. He scored 515 runs in 9 matches, including 3 centuries.
Middle-order batters:
Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Rizwan, Harry Brook, Sherfane Rutherford:
Another Sri Lankan cricketer who has made it to the list of Sports Digest’s ODI XI for 2024 is Charith Asalanka. The left-handed batter had a fantastic year with the bat, amassing 605 runs in 18 games with an incredible average of 50, and it included a sensational century as well.
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Pakistan’s captain and wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan. He recently took over as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team and made an instant impact by winning the ODI series in both Australia and South Africa. Mohammad Rizwan contributed with 264 runs in 9 games, at an average of 52.
Harry Brook, the young English star, is ranked number 5. He scored an amazing century against Australia and played a crucial role in keeping England in the series. He made 312 runs in 5 matches, including a brilliant hundred.
Rutherford, nominated for ICC ODI Player of the Year, also had an outstanding year for his team West Indies. He was their best batter and scored 425 runs in 9 matches, including a fantastic century. He also had a strike rate of 120 and was key in the middle order.
All-rounders:
Azmatullah Omarzai and Wanindu Hasaranga:
Azmatullah Omarzai, the Afghan all-rounder, is ranked number 7. He had an excellent 2024 in ODIs. In 14 matches, he scored 417 runs and took 17 wickets, showing his all-round skills.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga comes in at number 8. The clever bowler had another great year, taking 26 wickets in 10 matches with an average of 15.61, including four 3-wicket hauls. He was also nominated for the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.
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Bowlers:
Allah Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Haris Rauf
Allah Ghazanfar, the new mystery spinner, impressed with a 6-wicket haul against Bangladesh and earned a spot in the team. In 2024, he took 21 wickets in 11 matches, with an average of 13.57.
Alzarri Joseph, the West Indian bowler, was excellent in ODIs, taking 15 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 27.
Haris Rauf, the fast bowler, played a key role in Pakistan’s win in Australia, finishing 2024 with 13 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 22.
Sports Digest’s ODI Team Of The Year:
Saim Ayub, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Harry Brook, Sherfane Rutherford, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wanindu Hasaranga, Allah Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Haris Rauf
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Saim Ayub, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Harry Brook, Sherfane Rutherford, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wanindu Hasaranga, Allah Ghazanfar, Alzarri Joseph, Haris Rauf
