Top 5 ODI teams in international cricket between 2000-2009

#3 Pakistan

Pakistan had the strongest pace attack

Unpredictable yet entertaining, Pakistan was one of the strongest ODI teams in the first decade of the new millennium. They played a fearless brand of cricket and was one of the most lovable teams across the international cricketing fraternity.

In terms of talent, they were second to none with a plethora of match winners. Pakistan boasted of a strong batting lineup with aggressive stroke makers like Inzamam Ul Haq, Misbah, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf who formed the core of their batting lineup.

Pakistan never had an apt replacement for the great Saeed Anwar but the likes of Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Salman Butt did a pretty decent job opening the innings.

With Wasim and Waqar fading away, Shoaib Akhtar emerged as the new spearhead. The 'Rawalpindi Express' could decimate the best of batting lineups with his sheer pace.

Akhtar was well supported by the likes of Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan who were all genuine wicket-takers. The Green brigade had quality all-rounders like Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood who lent the required balance to the side.

In Saqlain Mushtaq, Pakistan had one of the best off-spinners who picked up wickets in a heap. Saqlain bamboozled the batsmen with his 'Doosra' and became Pakistan's go-to man in the slog overs.

Moin Khan was a cheeky stroke player who was tidy with his glove work. Last but not the least you had the enigmatic Afridi who was an outright match winner on his day. The hard-hitting Afridi kept the Pakistani fans at the edge of their seats with his flashes of brilliance.

ODI Record 2000 to Dec 2009

Played-267; Won-151; Lost-111; NR-19; Win%:56.55

ICC Champions Trophy 2000: Semifinalist

ICC Champions Trophy 2004: Semifinalist

ICC Champions Trophy 2009: Semifinalist