Best ODI XI of 2024

As the year 2024 comes to a close, the cricketing world has witnessed an exciting mix of veteran and young prospects, each of whom has been brilliant in the 50-over format. Though this year had fewer ODI games, with a total of 104 matches across the globe, batters and bowlers still managed to prove themselves and perform in those chances.

From classic openers who gave firm starts to strategic skippers who lead from the front, the ODI games played were a fix of drama and excitement. With several impressive players showcasing their abilities across forms, selecting the best ODI XI of 2024 becomes a difficult challenge.

Let's take a look at the finest ODI XI of 2024:

1. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)

Pathum Nissanka had an explosive year in 2024 with the bat, making himself a key member of Sri Lanka's batting lineup. The opener scored 694 runs in 12 matches at an average of 63.09 and a strike rate of 106.44. His exploits included three centuries and two fifties, including a historic unbeaten double century (210*) against Afghanistan in Pallekele. This knock included 20 fours and 8 sixes and was the highest individual score in ODIs for the year. Nissanka’s century against England was another memorable match, ending a long drought for Sri Lankan openers in England since 2011.

2. Saim Ayub (Pakistan)

Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub is another batter who had a wonderful year in the 50-over format. The southpaw displayed his class with consistent performances around the globe. He hammered 515 runs in nine matches at an average of 64.37, including three centuries and a fifty. His exploits included a 53-ball century in Zimbabwe and two recent hundreds in Pakistan’s clean sweep over South Africa. His contributions were crucial in the series win.

3. Kusal Mendis (WK / Sri Lanka)

The year 2024 was special for Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter, Kusal Mendis across formats but especially in one-dayers as he finished as the year’s leading run-scorer. In 17 innings, Mendis smashed 742 runs at an average of 53.00, including a century against New Zealand in Dambulla. His tally also featured six half-centuries. Remarkably, he had only six scores below 20 and just one under 10. Mendis ended the year on a high with three consecutive 50-plus scores, with his standout performances against New Zealand, where he smashed 143 and an unbeaten 74 in November.

4. Keacy Carty:

Keacy Carty of West Indies performed brilliantly in ODIs in 2024, making him one of the most dependable middle-order batters. In 12 matches (11 innings), he scored 560 runs at an average of 62.22, with one century and three half-centuries. Carty's firm knock came in the third ODI against England in Bridgetown, where his unbeaten 128 guided West Indies to an eight-wicket victory. Carty began the year with a solid 88 against Australia. Although he stumbled briefly against Sri Lanka, he bounced back in style during the England series, with scores of 19*, 71, and 128*. By the year's end, his career ODI tally went over 1,000 runs.

5. Charith Asalanka (Captain)

Charith Asalanka is another Sri Lankan in this team to have had a wonderful year in this format. The southpaw proved himself both as captain and middle-order batter. Leading the team to series victories against the West Indies, India, and other opponents, the left-handed batter scored 605 runs in 16 innings at an average of 50.41 and a strike rate of 97.11. One of his best knocks came against Zimbabwe in Colombo, where he hit a solid ton, scoring 101 runs. Asalanka also notched up a 97* against Afghanistan and a 77 versus the West Indies. With one century and four fifties in the year, he ended as the third-highest run-scorer of the year.

6. Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies)

West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford’s 2024 ODI campaign was nothing short of brilliant. The 26-year-old showed his abilities in the 50-over format, scoring 425 runs in just seven innings at an average of 106.25 and a strike rate of 120.05, including four consecutive fifties and a match-winning century. Rutherford’s year began with a brilliant series in Sri Lanka, where he scored three half-centuries, finishing with 204 runs at a strike rate of 107.36. At home against England, he again came up with a solid 54. However, in St. Kitts against Bangladesh, while chasing 295, Rutherford’s 113 off 80 balls helped the side register a comfortable win. His performances has also earned him a nomination for ICC ODI Player of the Year.

7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)

Afghanistan's young all-rounder, Azmatullah Omarzai also finds a place in this team after scoring 417 runs at an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 105.56 in 14 ODIs. With the bat, he smashed an unbeaten 149* against Sri Lanka in February. With the ball, Omarzai was equally impactful, taking 17 wickets at an average of 20.47 and an economy of 4.90. His best performances included a match-winning 70* and 4/37 against Bangladesh in a series decider, and a vital 86* and 1/17 in Afghanistan’s historic series win over South Africa.

Also Check: Best Test XI of 2024

8. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga had a phenomenal year as he ended as the highest wicket-taker, picking 26 wickets in just 10 matches at an average of 15.61 and an economy of 5.36. Against Zimbabwe in Colombo, he ended with figures of 7/19 in just 5.5 overs. Hasaranga ended the year with four three-wicket hauls, including match-winning spells against Afghanistan, India, and West India. While his contributions with the bat were decent, scoring 87 runs at a strike rate of 101.16. His performances also earned him a nomination for the ICC ODI Player of the Year Award.

9. AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)

Afghanistan’s AM Ghazanfar came out as one of the brightest talents in ODIs in 2024. At just 18 years old, the mystery spinner ended the year as the joint third-highest wicket-taker in the format, claiming 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 13.57. His best spell came against Bangladesh, where he ended with figures of 6/26, single-handedly turning the game in Afghanistan’s favour. After a quiet start to his ODI career, going wicketless in his first two matches against Ireland, Ghazanfar found his rhythm with a three-wicket haul against South Africa. He followed it up with a solid performance in the series against Bangladesh, claiming eight wickets, including his memorable six-for. In his most recent series against Zimbabwe, he continued his red-hot form, taking nine wickets in just three games. 

10. Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

In 2024, Shaheen Shah Afridi once again showed why he is one of the best ballers in the world, especially in ODI cricket. The left-arm pacer played six ODIs, bagging 15 wickets at an average of 17.60 and an economy of 5.09. His best performances came against two top-tier teams, Australia and South Africa, spearheading Pakistan’s series wins.

Against Australia, Shaheen took eight wickets, including 3/32 in Perth, which helped secure the series. His seven wickets against South Africa, including a brilliant 4/47 in Cape Town, were crucial in another win. Although he briefly held the No.1 spot in the ODI bowler rankings, and now holds the No.3 spot. With 119 wickets from 59 ODIs at an average of 23.14, Shaheen continues to be a match-winner for Men in Green.

11. Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

In 2024, Pakistan’s pace sensation, Haris Rauf, shined in ODIs, finishing with 13 wickets from eight matches at an average of 22.33 and an economy rate of 5.09. He was especially lethal during Pakistan's historic series win in Australia, where he claimed 10 wickets in three ODIs. In the second ODI in Adelaide, he finished with figures of 5/29, helping Pakistan level the series. This was his second five-wicket haul in ODIs, and was crucial in bundling out Australia for just 163. Rauf was named Player of the Series for picking 10 wickets as Pakistan clinched a 2-1 victory.