1. Pathum Nissanka

2024 Stats: Matches: 12; Runs: 694; Average: 63.09

In a decade or so, Sri Lankan fanatics will remember 2024 as the year Pathum Nissanka went from a 'promising prospect' to a possible superstar. He was the year's highest-scoring starter, accumulating 694 runs in 12 innings. His 63.09 average was the second-highest among the top ten run scorers in 2024, while his strike rate of 106.44 was the greatest.

Almost one-third of Nissanka's runs came from a single innings, his stunning 210 not out against Afghanistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which was also the year's highest score. Overall, 2024 saw how the right-hander's clean technique enables him to play the situation and overpower bowlers while always appearing comfortable.

2. Saim Ayub

2024 Stats: Matches: 9; Runs: 515; Average: 64.37

Pakistan discovered and polished one of their promising batting campaigners in 22-year-old Saim Ayub. In 2024, he scored 515 runs in nine ODIs, with an average of 64.37, edging out Nissanka to be the best among the top-10 run scorers. Ayub made an impression with a swashbuckling, although perhaps fortunate 82 (71) against Australia in Adelaide, followed it up with a maiden tonne against Zimbabwe and two more in three ODIs in South Africa.

His strong starts and great hunger contributed significantly to Pakistan's historic sweep over the Proteas. The developing young-blood talent may be helpful with the ball for the Pakistani side, having scalped five wickets in this year's ODI. 

3. Harry Brook

2024 Stats: Matches: 5; Runs: 312; Average: 78

Harry Brook has racked up 312 runs from five matches at an average of 78 and a strike rate of 127.86. And to make it interesting, these numbers only come from a single five-match ODI series against Australia. Brook performed his most outstanding in the third ODI, scoring his first ODI century in Chester-Le-Street. His century in Durham also helped England go 1-2 and stay in the series. Brook was excellent again in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday in Bristol.

Batting at No. 4, Brook scored 72 runs off 52 balls, including three fours and seven sixes, but the team lost the series 3-2. Harry Brook beat Virat Kohli's record for the most runs scored by a captain in a bilateral ODI series against Australia (310 runs in five matches, averaging 62).

4. Keacy Carty

2024 Stats: Matches: 12; Runs: 560; Average: 62.22

West Indies' Keacy Carty also advanced his case for becoming the Men in Maroon's future in 2024, scoring 560 runs at an average of 62.22, including a century and three fifties. He scored the fourth-most runs of the year and the most for the Windies.

The left-hander began cautiously but demonstrated his actual ability in the second ODI against England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. His 71 (77) was well-timed after two early wickets, and his confidence skyrocketed, although it came in a losing cause. He also performed well in the home series against Bangladesh earlier in December, enabling him to reach the 1000 runs mark in ODI.

5. Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & Wicketkeeper)

2024 Stats: Matches: 9; Runs: 264; Average: 52.80

Every excellent team need a superb captain at the helm, and Mohammad Rizwan is the obvious choice for the captain of the Cricket Winner ODI Team of the Year. The 32-year-old was given leadership shortly before Pakistan embarked on a tour of Australia and South Africa, and Rizwan guided his team to victories against both, earning captaincy honours.

He was recently named Pakistan captain and had an immediate impact, winning the ODI series in Australia (Away Series) and South Africa (Home Series). He also contributed 264 runs in nine matches, averaging 52. His skill set with the gloves and behind the stumps is the icing of his impressive performance in the 2024 ODI season. 

6. Sherfane Rutherford

2024 Stats: Matches: 7; Runs: 425; Wickets: 2; Average: 106.25; Economy: 9.39

Speaking of great years, 2024 would never be remembered without Sherfane Rutherford, the superb Caribbean speed all-rounder. Rutherford thrived in all forms and leagues worldwide. But ODIs were his personal favourites, and even the fanatics wouldn't disagree with it.

In only his second year in the format, he scored 425 runs in seven innings, going unbeaten on three occasions. His average was a breathtaking 106.25, but his strike rate of 120.05, the greatest among the top-25 run scorers of the year, was even higher. In addition to that, his ability to bowl at a good tempo when needed makes him the ideal jack of all trades.

7. Azmatullah Omarzai

2024 Stats: Matches: 12; Runs: 417; Wickets: 17; Average: 52.12; Economy: 4.90

Azmatullah Omarzai of Afghanistan has been a standout campaigner. But in ODIs in 2024, he was the gold standard among all-rounders in the tournament, scoring the second most runs and taking the most wickets for the underdog Afghan team. In just 12 matches, he has scored 417 runs and taken 17 wickets.

He began the year beautifully, scoring 149* (115) against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, followed by two similarly crucial runs — 86* (50) and 70* (77) against South Africa and Bangladesh, respectively. His wicket-taking was more constant, as he had two consecutive four-wicket hauls against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

8. Wanindu Hasaranga

2024 Stats: Matches: 10; Wickets: 26; Economy: 5.36

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who can also strike the ball long, would offer some spice to the solid base. His primary duty would be bowling since, despite missing a few games due to injury, he finished 2024 as the joint-highest wicket-taker.

Like Omarzai, he peaked early in the year with a 7/19 in just 5.5 overs against Zimbabwe on January 11. He added three more four-wicket hauls against other opponents, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies, for a total of 26 wickets at an economy of 5.63. He was also nominated for the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.

9. Taskin Ahmed

2024 Stats: Matches: 7; Wickets: 14; Economy: 5.32

Taskin Ahmed has been Bangladesh's side go-to pacer and a consistent one. As his name appears on this list, it is evident that he has created an impeccable impact in the white-ball format of the game. In addition, he also happens to be the third-highest wicket-taker across all the formats.

The 29-year-old had a yearly all-format average of 19.23 and gave his side one wicket per 24 deliveries. Ahmed took 19 wickets in four Tests, 14 in seven ODIs, and an incredible 30 in 19 T20I matches, eight of which came during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. His best stats are four wickets off 53 against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. 

10. Shaheen Shah Afridi

2024 Stats: Matches: 6; Wickets: 15; Economy: 5.09

Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Pakistani left-arm lethal pacer, caps off the ODI Team of the Year. Shaheen played only six ODIs this year but took 15 wickets at 17.60. His score includes one four-fer. Overall, Shaheen has 119 wickets in 59 ODIs at 23.14. He played in two high-profile series against Australia and South Africa and helped Pakistan win both. He stood tall against the Australians, having taken eight wickets. 

Another seven wickets were taken against the Proteas. His Down Under performances helped Pakistan win its first ODI series in 22 years, being economical and wickets-loaded. South Africa discovered a better version of him by taking wickets from flashy hitters like Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen. 

11. Haris Rauf

2024 Stats: Matches: 8; Wickets: 13; Economy: 5.09

Haris Rauf possesses the qualities of expressive speed and fierce intensity, which make him a difficult opponent. His accomplishments at home and abroad and his ability to take vital wickets earned him a spot on this list, completing the fast bowlers' standards.

He was crucial in Pakistan's victory Down Under, hindering the Australians with his speed and bounce. The quick bowler concluded 2024 with 13 wickets in 8 matches and an average of 22. Also, alongside his teammate, another Pakistani bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, it's no surprise that the pacers combo will cause nightmares for even the best batters.