The year 2024 has been quite exciting for cricket, especially for its One Day International format. Many players have raised the bar in recent months by demonstrating their great talent and making differences for their teams. Here, we are taking a closer look at the best ODI XI of 2024. This list has been picked based on outstanding performance, consistency, and the capacity to perform in high-pressure situations. Let's look into the cricketers who made it to this dream team and why they deserve their spot. Best ODI XI of 2024 Players Nation Saim Ayub Pakistan Pathum Nissanka Sri Lanka Kusal Mendis Sri Lanka Keacy Carty West Indies Charith Asalanka Sri Lanka Sherfane Rutherford West Indies Azmatullah Omarzai Afghanistan Wanindu Hasaranga Sri Lanka AM Ghazanfar Afghanistan Shaheen Afridi Pakistan Alzarri Joseph West Indies Saim Ayub (Pakistan) Image Source: Getty Images Young opener Saim Ayub of Pakistan had incredible year in 50-over cricket for the year gone by. The southpaw showed his class with one spectacular performance after the other in the circuits around the world. He smashed 515 runs in nine matches at an average of 64.37, comprising three centuries and a fifty. His exploits included a 53-ball century in Zimbabwe and two recent hundreds in Pakistan's clean sweep over South Africa. Contributions for his team in both the series, of course, were crucial. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) Image Source: Getty Images Explosive strikes in 2024 with the bat made Pathum Nissanka a sure bet on Sri Lanka's batting bench. He opened all 12 innings; scored 694 runs with an average of 63.09 and a strike rate of 106.44. Three hundreds and two fifties rolled into his bag, not to forget one memorable unbeaten double century 210* off Afghanistan in Pallekele. This knock included 20 fours and 8 sixes and was the highest individual score in ODIs for the year. Nissanka hundred against England is another memorable match, as he ended a long drought for Sri Lankan openers in England since 2011. Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) Image Source: Getty Images The year 2024 was special for Sri Lankan wicket keeper-batter Kusal Mendis across formats but especially in one-dayers as he finished as the year's leading run-scorer. In 17 innings, Mendis smashed 742 runs at an average of 53.00, including a century against New Zealand in Dambulla. His tally also featured six half-centuries. Interestingly, he had scored only six under 20 and just one under 10. Mendis finished the year in style with three successive 50-plus scores, where his outstanding batting came against New Zealand, where he smashed 143 and an unbeaten 74 in November. Keacy Carty (West Indies) Image Source: Getty Images Keacy Carty of West Indies was one of the most trusted middle-order players in ODIs in 2024. For 12 games (11 innings), he added 560 runs at an average of 62.22 and scored one hundred and three fifties. Carty, with a stable knock, put West Indies back on track after the third ODI against England in Bridgetown as an unbeaten knock of 128 helped the hosts win the match by eight wickets. Carty started the year with a good 88 against Australia. He had a brief wobble against Sri Lanka but recovered with a flourish during the England series, scoring 19*, 71, and 128*. By the end of the year, his ODI career exceeded 1,000 runs. Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) Image Source: Getty Images Charith Asalanka is the other Sri Lankan in this team who had a fantastic year in this format. The left-handed batter proved himself both as a captain and middle-order batter. The southpaw batted through to take the team to series wins against West Indies, India, and others. Charith Asalanka scored 605 runs in 16 innings at an average of 50.41 and a strike rate of 97.11. One of his best knocks came against Zimbabwe in Colombo, where he hit a solid ton, scoring 101 runs. Asalanka also notched up a 97* against Afghanistan and a 77 versus the West Indies. With one century and four fifties in the year, he ended as the third-highest run-scorer of the year. Sherfane Rutherford (West Indies) Image Source: Randy Brooks West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford's 2024 ODI was brilliant in a way. On 26 years of age, he showed his properties in the format of 50 overs for which he has scored 425 runs from seven innings with an average of 106.25 and a strike rate of 120.05 while scoring four consecutive fifties and a match-winning century. Rutherford started the year on a brilliant note by scoring three half-centuries against Sri Lanka, and though he completed 204 runs at a strike rate of 107.36, it was still not enough. On home soil against England, he again came up with a solid 54. However, it was in St. Kitts against Bangladesh while chasing 295 that Rutherford's 113 off 80 balls helped the side register the win quite comfortably. His performances have also made him a nominee for the ICC ODI Player of the Year. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) Image Source: ACB This team also accommodates Afghanistan's young all-rounder, Azmatullah Omarzai, who aggregates 417 runs at an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 105.56 from 14 ODIs. With the bat, Azmatullah Omarzai smashed an unbeaten 149* against Sri Lanka in February while taking 17 wickets at an average of 20.47 with an economy of 4.90. His best performances included a match-winning 70* and 4/37 against Bangladesh in a series decider, and a vital 86* and 1/17 in Afghanistan's historic series win over South Africa. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) Image Source: Getty Images The most impressive spinner in Sri Lanka had an incredible year. Wanindu Hasaranga ended the year as the highest wicket-taker in the format with 26 wickets in just 10 matches at an average of 15.61 and an economy of 5.36. In Colombo against Zimbabwe, he finished with the figures of 7/19 in just 5.5 overs. He finished the year with four three-wicket hauls, one match-winning spell against Afghanistan, one against India, and another against West India. Although his contributions with the bat were decent, scoring 87 runs at a strike rate of 101.16. His performances also earned him a nomination for the ICC ODI Player of the Year Award. AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan) Image Source: ACB Afghanistan's AM Ghazanfar emerged as one of the brightest talents in ODIs in 2024. The mystery spinner at 18 years of age finished the year as the joint third-highest wicket-taker in the format with 21 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 13.57. His best bowling came against Bangladesh when he returned figures of 6/26 and single-handedly changed the course of the game for Afghanistan. After a silent start to his ODI career, going wicketless in his first two matches against Ireland, Ghazanfar was at his rhythm with a three-wicket haul against South Africa. He carried the same rhythm into the series against Bangladesh, picking eight wickets, including that memorable six-fer. In the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe, he continued his red-hot form and picked nine wickets in just three games. Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan) Image Source: Getty Images In 2024, Shaheen Shah Afridi again proved why he is one of the best ballers in the world, particularly in ODI cricket. He played six ODIs, claiming 15 wickets at an average of 17.60 and an economy of 5.09. His best came against two top teams, Australia and South Africa, leading Pakistan's series-winning cause. Shaheen was outstanding against Australia, taking eight wickets in the series. His 3/32 in Perth played a big role in securing the win. He also impressed against South Africa, taking seven wickets, including a brilliant 4/47 in Cape Town, which helped Pakistan to another victory. Shaheen briefly reached the No.1 spot in the ODI bowler rankings and is now ranked No.3. With 119 wickets in 59 ODIs at an average of 23.14, he remains a key player and a match-winner for Pakistan. Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) Image Source: Getty Images Another West Indies bowler that makes the cut is Alzarri Joseph. The guy has an uncanny ability to deliver toe-crushing yorkers at will and would be perfect alongside Shaheen Afridi. His pace and relentless pressure on batters make him an even more feared opponent, which could unsettle even the best lineups. Conclusion The best ODI XI of 2024 is a mix of talent, hard work, and exceptional performances. These players have not only entertained fans but also left a mark on the cricketing world with their skills. As we celebrate their achievements, we also look forward to what they will bring in the years to come. Well, cricket continues to evolve, and players like these remind one why one is so in love with this game. To more thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.