Top 10 ODI bowlers of 2017

2017 has been quite the year for bowlers. While some old hands put in some very strong performances, some bowlers unseated their own nations' best for places on the team - places they justified with strong performances.

As the year draws to a close, here are 10 bowlers who impressed the most this year:

Adil Rashid

English leggie Adil Rashid begins this list. The 29-year-old, who has been playing for England since he was on the Under-19 squad, has taken 26 wickets this year from 15 innings, at an economy of 5.44.

His best performance this year came against Ireland, with Rashid taking 5 wickets from his 8 overs and giving away only 25 runs. That bowling performance saw England take a convincing 7-wicket win, with Rashid declared Man of the Match for his efforts.

Kagiso Rabada

1st Momentum ODI: South Africa v Bangladesh

Young South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada comes in at #9. The 22-year-old has taken 27 wickets this year from 18 innings, at a strong economy rate of 4.80.

Rabada led South Africa's bowling attack for two ODIs in particular this year. He took 3 wickets for 25 runs at an economy of just over 3 runs against New Zealand during South Africa's tour of the country, effecting a 6-wicket win for his side, and once again during the Proteas' tour of England, taking 4 wickets at an economy rate of just over 4.

Both performances took his team to victory - the first by 6 wickets, the latter by 7, and both won Rabada Man of the Match awards for his efforts.

Imran Tahir

India v South Africa - ICC Champions Trophy

South African bowler Imran Tahir has hit a number of records over the past two years in terms of ODI bowling.

The Pakistani-born spinner, in 2017, finished with the most economical figures by a South African spin bowler, finishing with two wickets and giving only 14 runs in his 10-over spell.

Tahir has taken 27 wickets this year in 17 innings, with a 4.62 economy rate, and he led the bowling attack for the Proteas against Sri Lanka at the teams' Champions Trophy match; he not only took 4 wickets, he gave only 24 runs from his 8 overs, and effected a run-out in what ended as a very one-sided win for South Africa.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy

With Jasprit Bumrah, Indian pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has formed part of a deadly, destructive, wicket-taking attack that has all but led the attack against most rivals. 'Bhuvi' as he is commonly known, has taken 28 wickets this year from 23 innings, at an economy of 5.05.

He is #7 on the highest wicket takers in ODIs this year, and his swing has beguiled a number of batsmen on the circuit.

'Bhuvi' got his best figures of 5/42 during India's tour of Sri Lanka in the capital, Colombo, earlier this year.

Hardik Pandya

India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy Final

India's Hardik Pandya first hit the big time in the Indian Premier League, playing for marquee side and three-time champions Mumbai Indians. The all-rounder, who bowls pace, had been known more for his batting skill in One-Dayers until this year.

Pandya's figures may not seem as significant compared to some bowlers on this list - but they are no doubt strong. The 24-year-old has 31 wickets from 27 innings, with an economy rate of 5.57.

Pandya has also shone with the bat in tough conditions - including at this year's Champions Trophy - with best figures of 3/40. He also comes in at #6 for most wickets taken by a bowler in ODIs this year.

Trent Boult

New Zealand v West Indies - 3rd ODI

New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has had quite the strong year, and one that saw him move several places up in the ICC rankings on the back of a brilliant performance against the West Indies during their tour of New Zealand.

28-year-old Boult spearheaded the Kiwi bowling attack against the Windies, taking ten wickets over the series. Part of that ten-wicket haul were figures of 7/34 in the second match against the West Indies at Christchurch - also a New Zealand record.

Two of Boult's three fife-fors in ODIs have come in 2017 - the first against Australia - and both at home.

Boult ends 2017 in Number 4 on the ICC's ODI bowling rankings - an all-time career high for the Kiwi pacer.

Liam Plunkett

English pacer Liam Plunkett comes in at number four. His year might not have ended on the best note, with the 32-year-old snubbed for the Ashes despite putting in decent performances throughout the year. Might Plunkett's presence have helped save England from what was a significantly one-sided win for Australia? That might be the case.

Plunkett has taken 96 wickets from 61 innings this year, taking more than four wickets on three separate occasions, and a five-for; the latter formed part of his best figures for the year, a 5/52 showing during the West Indies' tour of England.

The 32-year-old, who has this year celebrated his 12th year in ODIs, had a net economy rate of 5.90.

Jasprit Bumrah

24-year-old Jasprit Bumrah is #3 on the list. With 39 wickets from 23 innings, and a five-for to his credit, the youngster has had quite the year.

Bumrah set - and was part of - multiple bowlers' records this year; during India's tour of Sri Lanka, the bowler took 15 wickets - the most any fast bowler has taken in a 5-match bilateral series. In addition, both he and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - in the third and fifth One-Day internationals of the series respectively, picked up five-wicket hauls - the first time two Indian pacers have taken five-fors in the same series.

His year's best figures were also his career-best, with Bumrah taking 5 for 27 at Pallekele during the tour of Sri Lanka.

Bumrah ends 2017 as the World No. 3 ODI bowler on the ICC rankings.

Rashid Khan

Afghani teenager Rashid Khan has been perhaps cricket's revelation of 2017. The young leggie may have made his ODI debut for Afghanistan in 2015, but given the fact that Afghanistan is an associate nation, opportunities to play will have been few and far between compared to other cricketing nations.

Despite this, Rashid was noticed by selectors, and in 2017 made his IPL debut for the Sunrisers Hyderabad - and was one of only two Afghan players - the other Mohammad Nabi - to be selected for the league.

Rashid has taken 43 wickets this year in only 15 innings, with a very low economy rate of 3.80. He has two five-fors this year and two occasions on which he took 4 wickets, but his best figures this year have been the best figures of any bowler in One-Day internationals this year.

During Afghanistan's tour of the West Indies at Gros Islet, Khan took a whopping 7/18.

Hasan Ali

Pakistani bowler Hasan Ali has been having quite the year. The 23-year-old, who made his ODI debut in 2016, ends the year as the ICC's top-ranked bowler in the 50-over format.

Ali took 45 wickets in the 18 innings he played this year, with three 5-wicket hauls among them at a stingy economy rate of 5.

Ali started as a gully cricketer, but made a rapid rise up the ranks early this year, taking his maiden 5-wicket haul against Australia. He then put in a stellar performance at this year's Champions Trophy, and ultimately contributed to his side winning the title - with Ali named the Player of the Series for the tournament.

The seamer had best figures of 5/38 against the West Indies at Providence, during Pakistan's tour of the Caribbean - and his figures are a clear indication as to why he has finished as the top-ranked bowler for 2017.