Sportskeeda Cricket Awards 2018: ODI All-rounder of the Year

The year 2018 was used by most of the ODI teams to try and test the best combination for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

The World Cup qualifiers and Asia Cup were the only two grand ODI events that took place this year. While Afghanistan triumphed in the World Cup qualifiers, India lifted the Asia cup.

We have seen some brilliant all-around performances by teams and cricketers this year in ODIs. England are currently the best ODI team in the world because of the wealth of all-rounders they have in their arsenal. India are in the 2nd position in the ICC ODI rankings.

Here in this article, we take a look at the top three ODI all-rounders of 2018. The list has some surprising names and doesn't have players from many of the top ODI teams.

Renowned all-rounders like Thisara Perera and Moeen Ali narrowly missed out on the top three places.

#3 Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

Raza has been the linchpin of Zimbabwe's batting and bowling attack this year

Zimbabwe have had one of the worst years in their cricketing history. They failed to qualify for the Cricket World Cup 2019, having lost out on the qualifier slots to Windies and Afghanistan.

However, Sikandar Raza had a brilliant 2018. He was Zimbabwe's best ODI player as he shined with both the bat and the ball.

The Zimbabwean scored a whopping 633 runs from his 18 games, at a batting average of 39.56. He registered five fifties from his 18 innings, with a highest score of 92.

Raza sparkled with his bowling too. In his 18 games, he took an impressive 22 wickets at a bowling average of 19.50. His ability to not concede runs is very evident as conceded just 4.77 runs per over in 2018.

Raza should consider himself unlucky for not being able to help his team qualify for the coveted tournament.

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#2 Jason Holder

Holder has had a phenomenal 2018 with his captaincy, batting, and bowling

Jason Holder played a major part in Windies qualifying for the ICC World Cup tournament. Out of the 18 ODI games Windies played in 2018, they managed to win eight games and tie one.

The Barbadian cricketer and the current captain of the Windies ODI team snatched 21 wickets from just 15 games. His economy rate is well below six despite bowling predominantly in the power-plays and the death overs.

Holder was in good form with the bat too. He scored 405 runs from his 15 innings, at an impressive average of 33.75. He bailed out his team on many occasions by coming at the No. 8 slot and stabilizing the innings.

Holder scored three fifties in 2018.

The Barbadian's all-around form is vital for the Windies cricket team to post a challenge in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup tournament.

#3 Shakib Al Hasan (Sportskeeda's ODI All-rounder of 2018)

Shakib is fast becoming one of the greatest ODI all-rounders of all time

Shakib missed a quarter of the year due to a career-threatening finger injury. However, the Bangladesh all-rounder returned to cricket soon than expected. Despite missing a lot of matches, Shakib left a huge mark on ODI cricket in 2018.

Shakib scored a whopping 497 runs from just 13 innings which included five fifties. On a couple of occasions, he even single-handedly led the Tigers to victory.

His all-around abilities have provided Bangladesh added flexibility in their team combination. The team felt his absence during their heart-wrenching defeat to India in the Asia Cup final this year.

Shakib has bowled brilliantly this year, taking 21 wickets from his 15 innings with best figures of 4/41. He has one of the best economy-rates in ODIs, and this year he conceded just 4.48 runs per over.

Shakib's all-around performances helped Bangladesh beat Windies in both home and away games this year.