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5 Bowlers to take most wickets in a calendar year in ODI cricket

It is said that in international cricket, nothing is served for free on the platter. Every cricketer has to work hard to earn his place in the side and then cement it for time-unlimited with consistently good performances. While the job seems slightly easier for the batsmen, who once in full flow, are very difficult to stop; the task appears a bit tough for the bowlers, who have to keep improving on their skills to remain relevant. An inefficiency to adapt and change according to match situations and conditions might find the bowlers wanting and at the receiving end of an uncontrollable onslaught. some bowlers had a spectacular year in their ODI careers.

While whatever mentioned above is a general observation in world cricket, there were a few bowlers, who turned out to be an exception to the said wisdom. They picked plenty of wickets during their long cricketing career and were accustomed to the changing nature of international cricket. It is their brilliant presence of mind and adaptability that helped them in keeping a check on the scoring rate of the opposition and choking them for any comfort. As a result of all this, they made their way into the record books of cricket. We will be talking about one such record in this article. In the below piece, we look at 5 such bowlers, who took the most number of wickets in a calendar year in ODI cricket:

1. Saqlain Mushtaq – 1997

This wily off-spinner from yesteryears bowled multiple inspirational spells for Pakistan. He was known for bowling the ‘doosra’, a type of delivery that spun in the opposite direction to the traditional off-spin.

The dream phase for Mushtaq came during the year 1997 when he picked 69 wickets from 36 games at an average of 18.73 and an economy rate of 4.11. His best spell during the phase was produced against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup of 1997 at Colombo.

Pakistan, who batted first posted a daunting total of 319-5 on the board, owing to a fabulous knock of 90(94) by Anwar and 77(68) by Inzamam-ul-Haq. The target as expected was too hot to handle for Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 210, giving the opposition an easy victory by 109 runs. Mushtaq was indeed the star with the ball with figures of 5-38.

2. Saqlain Mushtaq – 1996

One of the best spinners of his generation, Mushtaq yet again features in this list for a spectacular show in the preceding year i.e. 1996. The legendary off-spinner had dismissed 65 batsmen from 33 games at an average of 19.52 and an economy rate of 4.39 during that year.

His best figures came against Australia during the 3rd game of the Tri-series involving Pakistan, West Indies and host Australia at Adelaide. Batting first, the visitors managed a below par total of 223 in their 50 overs, courtesy a gritty innings of 67(96) by Sohail. Warne was the pick of the bowler for the hosts with figures of 4-52.

Given the home advantage and not much to chase, Australia were expected to walk past their opposition with ease. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be one as the Aussies were dismissed for 211, falling short of their target by just 12 runs. Mushtaq was the chief reason behind Australia’s failure as he scalped 5-29 and played a momentous role.

3. Saeed Ajmal – 2013

One of the best wrist-spinners going around during his playing days, Ajmal often spun a vicious web around the batters. Among all the great years, 2013 has to rank higher as the leg-spinner had scalped 62 wickets from 33 games at an average of 20.45 and an economy rate of 4.13.

His most memorable spell that year came against arch-rivals India during the 3rd ODI at Delhi. The hosts, who batted first managed just 167 on the board, where Dhoni top-scored with 36(55). Ajmal turned out to be the worst nightmare for India as he picked 5-24 and exerted his impact.

Pakistan, unfortunately, couldn’t provide enough justice to this wonderful spell as they were bowled out for 157, handing India an unforgettable win by 10 runs.

4. Shane Warne – 1999

The former spin wizard of Australian cricket, Warne accomplished the feat during the year 1999. He had got the better of 62 batsmen from 37 games at an average of 23.27 and an economy rate of 4.38 in 1999.

His best performance came against South Africa during the 2nd semi-final at Birmingham of ICC World Cup, 1999. Australia while batting first posted a tricky total of 213 on the back of a valiant innings of 65(101) by Bevan and 56(76) by Steve Waugh. Pollock was the shining light for the Proteas with figures of 5-36.

In what transformed into the greatest ODI of all time, South Africa were restricted to the same total as Australia and were forced to bow out of the tournament, making it a title clash between Pakistan and Australia in the finale. Warne worked his magic for the Aussies, finishing the historic game with figures of 4-29.

5. Anil Kumble – 1996

The veteran leg-spinner of Indian cricket, Kumble enjoyed a dream run during the year 1996 in ODI cricket. The wrist-spinner had picked 61 wickets from 32 games at an average of 20.24 and an economy rate of 4.06.

Kumble‘s best figures that year came against Pakistan at Toronto during the 3rd ODI of India’s tour of Canada. India, who batted first could only reach 191 in their 50 overs, mainly due to Dravid’s gritty innings of 46(93). Akram shined with the ball for Pakistan with a spell of 4-35.

Ideally, it should have been an easy win for Pakistan but in an unexpected turn of events, India came on top, dismissing Pakistan for just 136 and winning the game by a comfortable margin of 55 runs. Kumble was the pick of the bowler for India, finishing with figures of 4-12.

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