Ranking the top 5 Men's ODI bowling performances of 2024 ft. Haris Rauf

One-Day International (ODI) cricket has seen some phenomenal performances by bowlers in the year 2024. While cricket is often seen as a game dominated by batters, several players have put up exceptional efforts, making the ball do the talking.

Be it players from nations like Scotland, Netherlands, Canada, and Zimbabwe to top cricketing countries, the ODI game has witnessed numerous bowling displays that left not just the batters but the entire opposition in splits.

From youngsters and emerging superstars to established pros, bowlers have made their mark on the international stage with their impressive spells in ODIs in 2024.

As 2024 is nearing its end, let us rewind and look back at the top five bowling performances in Men's ODIs this year.

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Ranking the top 5 Men's ODI bowling performances of 2024

#5 Allah Ghazanfar - 3/20 vs SA

18-year-old Allah Ghazanfar has had a year to remember with the ball. Coming from Afghanistan, which has given the sport several brilliant spinners such as Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to name a few, Ghazanfar appears to be carrying the legacy forward.

While he has put up numerous notable performances this year, one that stands out is his three-wicket haul against a tougher opponent in South Africa. During the first ODI at Sharjah, Ghazanfar dismissed Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, and Jason Smith, returning with figures of 3/20 from 10 overs at an economy rate of just 2.0 as the Proteas were bowled out for 106.

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#4 Dunith Wellalage - 5/27 vs IND

Dunith Wellalage played a major role in Sri Lanka's ODI series win against India earlier this year at home. In the third game of the series, the hosts were restricted to just 248/7 after batting first.

However, their bowlers, led by Wellalage that day, had other plans. The 21-year-old left-arm spinner ran through the Indian batting line-up, picking up the big wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer upfront. He scalped five wickets for 27 runs as the visitors were bundled out for just 138, handing Sri Lanka a huge 110-run victory.

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#3 Haris Rauf - 5/29 vs AUS

Pakistan's pace express Haris Rauf showed his class against Australia, rattling their batters in their own backyard, when he picked up a match-winning five-wicket haul in Adelaide in the second ODI.

Pakistan cleaned up Australia for just 163 runs bowling first, thanks to the fiery spell from Rauf. While Shaheen Afridi dismissed their openers, Rauf tore through the middle order, dismissing Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, and even skipper Pat Cummins. As Pakistan went on to win the game, his incredible spell of 5/29 from eight overs also won him the 'Player of the Match' award.

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#2 Jeffrey Vandersay - 6/33 vs IND

In the second match of the home ODI series against India, 34-year-old leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay bowled one of his best spells in the format. After being held at 240/9 first up, the hosts were defending a modest target.

India seemed on course as well, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 97 runs at the top. However, the game turned on its head when Vandersay ripped apart the top order, dismissing Rohit, Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shivam Dube in quick time to bring them back into the contest. He returned to pick up the wickets of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer as well, single-handedly helping bowl India out 208 and hand Sri Lanka a thrilling win.

His magnificent spell of 6/33 also earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.

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#1 Charlie Cassell - 7/21 vs OMA

Scotland pacer Charlie Cassell made his ODI debut against Oman in an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match this year. Batting first, Oman were skittled out for a paltry total of just 91, thanks to a dream spell by Cassell on debut.

The right-arm quick was the destroyer-in-chief as he gave the Oman batters an absolute nightmare with his splendid display of fast bowling. Cassell accounted for seven wickets by himself, solely destroying Oman's batting unit.

He returned with figures of 7/21 from just 5.4 overs. Scotland comfortably won the game with eight wickets remaining as Cassell also bagged the 'Player of the Match' award for his stunning display.