2013 in Review: Top 10 ODI bowlers of the year

6. Ryan Mclaren

Ryan Mclaren

He bagged 45 wickets in 2013, the highest by a South African bowler. That included four 4-wicket hauls, and although all of them did not turn out to be match winners, they did have a considerable impact on the game. He has proved to be a good hand with the bat as well, and he can contribute some valuable runs at no. 6 or 7 if the team needs.

He entered international cricket pretty late, but he has not failed to make his mark. South Africa might consider him for the all-rounder spot in their World Cup squad, given his skill and his experience, if not of the international stage, but still of having played cricket for so long and having over 100 First-class and List A matches under his belt.

He broke Shane Warne’s record of most wickets against an opponent in a calendar year. He has 25 wickets against Pakistan this year, as opposed to Warne’s 24 in 1994.

5. Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan

This young pacer is the 2^nd highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in 2013 at 24 years of age. He has 47 wickets to his name. He found his feet properly in international cricket only this year. He played 26 games, and produced impressive spells on a regular basis. As far as numbers go, his 4/15 against Zimbabwe at Harare was his best, a game Pakistan won by 90 runs. He has proved to be a very effective opening bowler for his side, and there is no reason why this left-armer can’t be the next fast bowling sensation from Pakistan, although he has a long way to go before he can be ranked along with Imran, Waqar, Wasim or even Akhtar.

He started off the year with an impressive 3/39 against India at the Eden Gardens, and never looked back. After that be it South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe or Sri Lanka, he proved his worth almost every time. There were only 4 instances where he went wicket-less, which explains why he creates this buzz-this expectation of a wicket very time he opens the bowling. It is unsettling for the opening batsman psychologically as well if he knows that this bowler is almost always is successful when he is out to bowl.

Pakistan have to make sure they hold on to this gem of a bowler to add on to the list of impressive opening bowlers they have been contributing to world cricket for so long now.