Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Saim Ayub Selected for ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024

Pakistan’s cricket stars Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Saim Ayub have earned recognition for their stellar performances in 2024, securing spots in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s ODI Team of the Year. The announcement was made on Friday as part of the ICC’s annual celebrations of outstanding cricketers across all formats.

The ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year 2024 includes players from various nations, and it features a mix of emerging talents and established stars. Alongside Pakistan, the team consists of players from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and the West Indies.

The 2024 Men’s ODI Team of the Year includes:

– Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
– Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
– Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
– Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka – WK)
– Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka – Captain)
– Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies)
– Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
– Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
– Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
– Haris Rauf (Pakistan)
– AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)

Saim Ayub’s inclusion is one of the most exciting stories of the year. In just his first season with the national team, he impressed with 515 runs in nine matches, averaging 64.37 and boasting a strike rate of 105.53. His three centuries, including two against South Africa, were key highlights of his breakout year.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s impressive year was marked by his ability to consistently deliver with the ball. Despite only playing six ODIs, he took 15 wickets at an average of 17.6, with his best bowling figures being 4/47. The ICC praised Afridi’s exceptional bowling strike rate, cementing his place as one of the best bowlers in world cricket.

Haris Rauf, known for his pace and deadly yorkers, also made a significant impact with 13 wickets in eight matches. His standout performance came in a series against Australia, where he took 10 wickets, including a match-winning 5/29. The ICC highlighted his ability to finish the year strongly and become one of Pakistan’s most reliable bowlers.

Although Pakistan had three players selected in the ODI team, there were no representatives from the country in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2024, nor in the Women’s ODI Team of the Year.

As the ICC awards continue, there will be further announcements, including the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, with Pakistan’s Babar Azam in contention for the prestigious honor.