Three Pak players in ICC ODI Team of the Year

Opener Saim Ayub and fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi feature in the lineup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024, celebrating outstanding performances in the 50-over format.

The team includes players from six nations, with Pakistan making a significant impact as three of its stars securing spots in the line-up.

Saim Ayub, Pakistan's rising opener, earned his place after a remarkable year with the bat. The left-hander scored 515 runs in just 9 innings, showcasing consistency and flair at the top of the order.

He also took 5 wickets at an average of 27.80. His performances were instrumental in several of Pakistan's victories in 2024, including a historic whitewash of South Africa in their own backyard, where he was named Player of the Series.

Joining him in the squad is Pakistan's pace duo, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Afridi continued to dominate with the new ball, picking up 15 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 17.60.

His lethal yorkers and swing deliveries made him a nightmare for opposition batters. Meanwhile, Haris Rauf's raw pace and accuracy helped him secure 13 wickets in 8 matches, with his ability to strike in the death overs proving crucial for Pakistan.

The team is captained by Sri Lanka's all-rounder Charith Asalanka, who had a stellar year with both bat and ball, amassing 605 runs and contributing with taking 10 wickets in crunch moments. His leadership and consistency were key for Sri Lanka in 2024.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Afghanistan impressed with his explosive batting, scoring over 531 runs at the top of the order in 11 innings, while Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka delivered steady performances, amassing 694 runs. Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis also made the cut after a year of consistent performances, finishing with 742 runs and excelling behind the stumps.

West Indies' Sherfane Rutherford shone with his aggressive batting, scoring 425 runs. Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai contributed as an all-rounder, adding valuable runs and wickets for his team.

Sri Lanka's star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was a standout performer with the ball, claiming 26 wickets in 10 innings and maintaining an economy rate around five. Afghanistan's AM Ghazanfar rounded off the squad with his effective spin bowling, taking 21 wickets in 11 matches.

ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year 2024:

Saim Ayub (Pakistan), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan), Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka), Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka - Wicketkeeper), 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).

ICC Men's Test Team of the Year 2024

Australia's Pat Cummins captains the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year for the second successive year, earning his place thanks to another memorable stint in which he guided his side to the ICC World Test Championship Final, overseeing victories against Pakistan, New Zealand and India, and picking up 37 wickets in his nine Tests at an average of 24.02.

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal takes a spot atop the order after scoring 1,478 runs during the year at 54.74, which included double-centuries in back-to-back Tests against England in February and a sublime 161 against Australia in Perth. His opening partner is Ben Duckett, one of four Englishmen who appear, and another who scored over a thousand Test runs in the year (1,149).

Century-makers litter the middle order, comprised of New Zealand's Kane Williamson, English duo Joe Root and Harry Brook and Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis.

Jamie Smith earns a spot as the designated wicketkeeper in the Test Team of the Year, six months after making his Test debut for England, thanks to 637 runs in nine Tests which included a maiden hundred against Sri Lanka in August.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja of India, who boasted 527 runs and 48 wickets in his Test year also features in the eleven along with New Zealand's Matt Henry who captured 48 wickets. Completing the list is top-ranked Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who excelled once more with ball in hand, topping the wicket-taking charts with 71 wickets in 2024 at a sensational average of 14.92.

ICC Test Team of the Year: Yashasvi Jaiswal (Ind), Ben Duckett (Eng), Kane Williamson (NZ), Joe Root (Eng), Harry Brook (Eng), Kamindu Mendis (SL), Jamie Smith (Eng) (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (Ind), Pat Cummins (Aus) (c), Matt Henry (NZ), Jasprit Bumrah (Ind).