Best Men's ODI playing 11 of 2024 ft. Saim Ayub, Allah Ghazanfar

In a year where the T20 World Cup was played, ODI cricket took a relative back seat in terms of number of matches played by nations across the globe. Yet, with whatever action possible, there were several thrilling games with teams putting up spirited performances.

It was a year where numerous emerging stars put up consistent performances in the ODI format, overshadowing the established and big names in world cricket at present.

ODIs have found it difficult to maintain the hype post the 2023 World Cup. However, moments such as Afghanistan beating South Africa, and Sri Lanka beating India among others kept the format interesting to watch for viewers from the outside.

As the year comes to an end, here is a look at some of the players who put up the most solid and consistent performances throughout, the best Men's ODI playing 11 of 2024.

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Best Men's ODI playing 11 of 2024

Openers - Pathum Nissanka and Saim Ayub

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka is the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs in 2024. He is the highest among openers with 694 runs from just 12 innings with an average of 63.09 and a strike-rate of 106.44. Nissanka truly realized his potential, slamming three hundreds and two fifties as well.

Similarly, Pakistan opener Saim Ayub impressed in the format this year, most recently showcasing his abilities by scoring twohundreds in a three-match series against South Africa. He amassed 515 runs this year from nine innings, with an average of 64.37, hitting three centuries in all.

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Middle Order - Keacy Carty, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka (C), and Sherfane Rutherford

Kaecy Carty, who made his ODI debut for the West Indies in 2022, had an impressive run this year. He scored 560 runs in the format from 11 innings with an average of over 62 and a best score of an unbeaten 128.

Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, who will also don the gloves in this side, had a phenomenal 2024 as far as the one-day game is concerned. The right-hander is the top run-scorer in the format, piling on 742 runs from 17 innings with one hundred and six half-centuries.

His fellow teammate and one-day captain Charith Asalanka will also lead this side. Asalanka led Sri Lanka wonderfully and also contributed with the bat, scoring 605 runs from 16 innings with a century and four fifties.

Another West Indian on the team is the hard-hitting left-hander Sherfane Rutherford. Not known much for his game in the one-day format, Rutherford put up a stellar display in 2024, scoring 425 runs from just seven innings at an average of 106.25 and a strike rate of 120.05. He slammed four consecutive fifties to go with a hundred as well.

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All-rounders - Azmatullah Omarzai and Wanindu Hasaranga

At just 24, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai has established himself among the top all-rounders at present, particularly in ODIs. He scored 417 runs from 12 innings this year, including a best score of 149*, to go with three fifties too. He also picked up 17 wickets from 13 innings at an average of 20.47 and an economy rate of 4.90.

Sri Lankan spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga ended the year as the highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 26 scalps from 10 innings at an average of 15.61 and an economy rate of 5.36 with best figures of 7/19. While he did not score a lot with the bat, he still offers the ability to deliver some lusty blows down the order. Hasaranga plays as the lead spinner in the line-up.

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Bowlers - Haris Rauf, Allah Ghazanfar, and Vivian Kingma

Pakistan's pace express Haris Rauf managed to bag 13 wickets from eight innings in ODIs this year at an average of 22.33 and economy rate of 5.09. He delivered one of the best spells of the year when he picked up 5/29 against Australia in Adelaide. Rauf will lead the pace attack for this side.

Afghanistan's Allah Ghazanfar also made a mark for himself in ODIs in 2024. The 18-year-old is the third highest-wicket taker in the format this year with 21 scalps from 11 innings at an average of 13.57 with best figures of 6/26 and two five-wicket hauls.

Wrapping up the 11 is Netherlands' pacer Vivian Kingma. While many would not consider Kingma as a first choice, he picked up 15 wickets from eight innings. He had an impressive average of 16.20 and an economy rate of 4.30.

Additionally, Afghanistan's wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz slots in as the 12th man of the side. Gurbaz impressed with the bat in ODIs this year too, scoring 531 runs from 11 innings with three hundreds and a couple of fifties.