Wisden.com picks the top ten men's ODI spells of 2024 - here are the ones that made the list.
No.10: Allah Ghazanfar 6-26 v Bangladesh, Sharjah
What began as a steady chase of 236 for Bangladesh at 118 for 2 soon unravelled into chaos, with Allah Ghazanfar orchestrating a stunning collapse that saw the team losing their last eight wickets for just 23 runs in under nine overs. Mohammad Nabi had set the tone by tempting Najmul Hossain Shanto but Ghazanfar then took over, bowling Tanzid Hasan early before removing Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a diving catch at short fine leg. Three carrom balls accounted for Mushfiqur Rahim (stumped), Rishad Hossain (lbw), and Taskin Ahmed (bowled) in the 33rd over. Although he was denied a hat-trick, Ghazanfar cleaned up Shoriful Islam in his next to seal the game inside 35 overs.
No.9: Charlie Cassell 7-21 v Oman, Dundee
Scotland’s Charlie Cassell rewrote history as he claimed 7 for 21 in just 5.4 overs, the best bowling figures on ODI debut, in a Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match. A last-minute injury replacement, Cassell’s debut was nothing short of a dream. He struck early, removing Zeeshan Maqsood and Ayaan Khan off his first two balls, before adding two more wickets of Khalid Kail and Shoaib Khan. His figures after his first nine balls read 1.3-1-0-4! He became the first men’s bowler to get seven on debut by dismissing Bilal Khan to finish Oman’s innings at 91. Scotland chased down the target with ease, securing an eight-wicket win.
No. 8: Gudakesh Motie 4-41 v England, North Sound
West Indies’ bowling attack dismantled England's top order with precision before Gudakesh Motie wreaked havoc in the middle. He claimed the wickets of senior players Liam Livingstone, who had increased his tempo after an assault on Roston Chase, and Sam Curran. He also dismissed the debutants Jamie Overton and Dan Mousley, as England fell soon from 165-4 to 187-8 in six overs, a match-defining collapse.
