Cricket
Who is the Best Finisher in ODI Cricket? [Updated 2024]
Being an ODI finisher is like being James Bond on the pitch — cool under pressure, sharp in strategy, and always ready to deliver when things seem impossible. It’s not just about hitting big boundaries, you know. It’s about smashing it big or sneaking in singles with surgical precision.
Glenn Maxwell//Getty Images
Finishers are the ultimate pressure players, swooping in during death overs to turn matches around. With tools like the SportsBoom MetaScale — mixing strike rates, batting averages, and total runs — we get a clear picture of who truly owns the title of best finisher in ODI cricket!
Teams need finishers who can deliver when it counts the most. Whether they’re clearing the ropes or calmly rotating strike, these players are the real MVPs — transforming tough situations into sweet victories.
Methodology
We analyzed the top finishers in ODI cricket using a combination of key metrics: Strike Rate, Batting Average, and Total Runs. Authoritative sources such as ESPNcricinfo, HowStat, and ICC records were used to ensure accurate data. To refine our rankings, we applied a weighted scoring system: Strike Rate (60%), Average (30%), and Runs (10%). This ensures an objective evaluation of both efficiency and impact in clutch situations."
Cricket critics and analysts often debate the importance of a reliable finisher. Combining insights from experts and web sources, the following critical consensus table ranks the best finishers based on their metrics.
Critical Consensus Table – List of Best Finishers in ODI Cricket
| Player | Runs | AVG | S.R | Score |
| GJ Maxwell (AUS) | 2023 | 34.05 | 126.35 | 86.07 |
| JC Buttler (ENG) | 3008 | 39.54 | 117.11 | 82.19 |
| Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2704 | 23.57 | 117.00 | 77.33 |
| DA Miller (SA) | 2742 | 42.05 | 103.31 | 74.66 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 4910 | 50.57 | 87.56 | 67.81 |
| MEK Hussey (AUS) | 2492 | 48.15 | 87.16 | 66.79 |
| N Kapil Dev (IND) | 2882 | 23.79 | 95.07 | 64.24 |
| MG Bevan (AUS) | 3322 | 53.58 | 74.16 | 60.64 |
| Abdul Razzaq (PAK) | 2745 | 29.70 | 81.25 | 57.72 |
| RP Arnold (SL) | 2363 | 35.26 | 72.57 | 54.17 |
How We Ranked the Best Finishers in ODI Cricket: SportsBoom Approach
Traditional statistics like strike rate and batting average provide a solid foundation for evaluating finishers, but they don't capture the full picture. The SportsBoom MetaScale redefines greatness by applying a weighted scoring system to reflect a finisher's true impact.
SportsBoom MetaScale
Based on the weighted scoring system, the competition for the best finisher narrows down to the top performers. Using the following methodology, we ranked the players:
60% weightage to Strike Rate, showcasing impact and explosiveness.
30% weightage to Batting Average, reflecting consistency.
10% weightage to Total Runs, emphasizing long-term contribution.
Top 3 Finishers Based on SportsBoom MetaScale
| Rank | Player | Runs | AVG | S.R | Score |
| 1 | GJ Maxwell (AUS) | 2023 | 34.05 | 126.35 | 86.07 |
| 2 | JC Buttler (ENG) | 3008 | 39.54 | 117.11 | 82.19 |
| 3 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2704 | 23.57 | 117.00 | 77.33 |
Let’s face it — ODI finishers aren’t just about pretty averages and flashy strike rates anymore. At SportsBoom, we’ve got a cool twist: our MetaScale. It’s a weighted system that really drills into a player’s impact when it matters most. Here’s the deal: we give 60% weight to Strike Rate (because speed and power count), 30% to Batting Average (consistency is key), and 10% to Total Runs (longevity matters too).
So, who made the cut? At the top, we’ve got GJ Maxwell (AUS) with a wild 126.35 strike rate, 2023 runs, and a killer SportsBoom score of 86.07. Then comes JC Buttler (ENG) with 3008 runs, a solid 39.54 average, and a score of 82.19. Rounding it out is Shahid Afridi (PAK), packing 2704 runs, a 117.00 strike rate, and a score of 77.33.
Our SportsBoom MetaScale isn’t just crunching numbers — it’s about finding the finishers who bring the heat, handle pressure, and make every clutch moment count.
10 Best Finishers in ODI Cricket
Finishers are the real MVPs — those who handle the heat and seal the deal when the game’s on the line. While top-order batsmen set the stage and middle-order guys keep the momentum, it’s the finishers who decide whether a team wins or loses. They chase insane targets, smash bowlers in death overs, and turn crunch moments into crazy wins.
It’s a job packed with pressure, but folks, the best finishers don’t just survive — they thrive. With power, precision, and nerves of steel, they make clutching victories look effortless.
1. GJ Maxwell (AUS)
When it comes to finishers, Glenn Maxwell is basically cricket’s answer to a rockstar — powerful, unpredictable, and always ready to bring the show. An Aussie all-rounder since 2012, he blends brute force with unorthodox genius: reverse sweeps, cheeky pulls, and swagger. He’s not just a T20 showman; his ODI game’s pretty solid too.
Maxwell’s an integral part of Australia’s white-ball dominance, contributing to massive wins like the 2015 and 2023 Cricket World Cups and the 2021 T20 World Cup. His numbers don’t lie: in 2023, he averaged 34.05, with a blazing strike rate of 126.35, and a solid SportsBoom Score of 86.07.
When the pressure’s on, Maxwell doesn’t just play — he makes moments.
2. JC Buttler (ENG)
When you need a finisher who can bring chaos, creativity, and cold-blooded resolve, Jos Buttler is the man you call. This England captain redefined what it means to finish a game (literally!)
Remember the 2019 Cricket World Cup? Buttler smashed boundaries like there was no tomorrow. In 2022, he led his team to a T20 World Cup with finishes so damned sharp they left bowlers scratching their heads.
A right-handed wicket-keeper-batsman, he’s not just about power but also precision. With 3008 runs, a killer average of 39.54, and a strike rate of 117.11, Buttler combined mad instinct with calculated mastery. His SportsBoom Score of 82.19 further solidifies his place as a reliable finisher.
In high-pressure moments, Buttler’s ability to clear the boundaries and deliver clutch performances proves invaluable. A true finisher who turns the game’s outcome with sheer skill and flair.
3. Shahid Afridi (PAK)
When you think of fearless finishers, Shahid Afridi is like the NFL’s running back charging through defenses — unstoppable, powerful, and always ready to break a tackle. Bowlers? Boy, he flattened them like a linebacker. Afridi had that wild, never-say-die energy.
With 2704 runs, a strike rate of 117.00, and an average of 23.57, his numbers aren’t just good — they’re punch-you-in-the-face good. Remember the 2009 T20 World Cup Final? Afridi crushed 54 runs off just 40 balls, taking Pakistan to victory. Or in the 2014 Asia Cup, he hit two back-to-back sixes against India.
Afridi wasn’t just a finisher; he was a game-changer. End of story.
4. DA Miller (SA)
If cricket had a superhero category for finishers, David Andrew Miller would be Iron Man. This left-handed powerhouse turns middle-order pressure into highlight reel magic.
With 2742 runs, a 103.31 strike rate, and a solid 42.05 average, Miller’s quite frankly revolutionizing the game. Think of his IPL stint with the Gujarat Titans, where he effortlessly smashed an unbeaten 31 off just 16 balls.
Cool, calm, and lethal — DA Miller’s finishing game is like that guy who always nails it at crunch time.
5. MS Dhoni (IND)
When it comes to finishers, MS Dhoni is the Tom Brady of cricket — super cool under pressure, methodical, and clutch every single time. Captain Cool didn’t just win games; he turned chasing impossible targets into a science. With 4910 runs, an average of 50.57, and an 87.56 strike rate, Dhoni’s record in ODI cricket’s the stuff of legends.
Like, think about it, man – 47 times unbeaten in successful run chases! Be it his blistering 91 off 79 balls* in the 2011 World Cup final or his last-over heroics in the Tri-Nation Series against Sri Lanka, Dhoni always kept his cool (even when we couldn’t).
For India, Dhoni was less a player and more a living, breathing legend who just knew how to get stuff done.
6. MEK Hussey (AUS)
Michael Hussey was the human ATM of cricket. Known as Mr. Reliable, the Aussie champ boasted 2492 runs, a 48.15 average, and a strike rate of 87.16. Tough situations? Ah, no worries. Hussey made clutch moments look like a routine stroll.
Whether it was sealing World Cup victories or nailing those impossible chases, the man delivered time and again. And oh, let’s not forget the trophies — a 2007 World Cup and not one but two ICC Champions Trophies.
The beauty of Hussey’s game? Adaptability. He could switch from steady anchor to fireworks factory in no time. If cricket had a closing credits scene, Hussey would be front and center. This guy made pressure look like just another day in the office.
7. N Kapil Dev (IND)
Kapil Dev was a vibe. A. Vibe.
A fearless batter, a calculated leader, and a man who could turn pressure into legit fireworks. With a 95.07 strike rate and 2882 ODI runs, he brought flair to every chase.
That iconic 175 not out against Zimbabwe in 1983? A cinematic rescue mission that changed cricket forever. Leading India to their first-ever World Cup win at just 24, Dev showed that pressure wasn’t a problem — it was an invitation to shine.
He finished games with style, power, and a dose of unapologetic brilliance.
8. MG Bevan (AUS)
Michael Bevan made high-pressure chases look like a laid-back walk in the park. With 3322 ODI runs, a killer average of 53.58, and a no-nonsense strike rate of 74.16, he was all about results. Results only. No drama.
Bevan wasn’t flashy, though. He made no wild shots. Instead, he mastered the art of singles, clever strike rotations, and keeping the scoreboard ticking like a metronome. His cool-headed finishes were key to Australia’s 1999 and 2003 World Cup wins.
A finisher, a strategist, and a true artist of the chase — Bevan meant business.
9. Abdul Razzaq (PAK)
Abdul Razzaq knew how to bring the heat when it counted. Ranked among the 10 best finishers in ODI cricket, he had a knack for stepping up in high-pressure situations. With 2745 runs, an excellent strike rate of 81.25, and an average of 29.70, Razzaq’s finishing finesse kept us all on the edge.
Be it smashing boundaries at the death or steadying a wobbling innings, Razzaq’s adaptability made him a nightmare for bowlers in crunch moments.
Part of Pakistan’s 1999 World Cup runners-up and the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning squads, Razzaq etched his name into cricket’s hall of fame as a finisher who could turn the game on its head.
10. RP Arnold (SL)
When the game got tough and the pressure dialed up, RP Arnold became the guy you’d want down the order. Not the flashiest name, but definitely a finisher with a cool head. With 2363 runs, a 35.26 average, and a 72.57 strike rate, he showed that finishing strong is more about composure than power.
Arnold made history as part of Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I squad. Talk about versatility! From ODIs to T20s, he brought stability wherever the team needed it.
Retiring after the 2007 World Cup Final, Arnold proved that is an art. In the world of cricket debates about clutch finishers, his steady stats remind us that calm, calculated finishes often win the game.
Conclusion
Finishers in ODI cricket are like the ultimate closers — making or breaking a game in the final moments. While basic stats like strike rate and batting average give a quick snapshot, the SportsBoom MetaScale shakes things up with a smarter approach. It blends strike rate (60%), average (30%), and total runs (10%) to capture a finisher’s real impact.
This method celebrates players who mix power with precision, delivering big hits and steady runs when it counts most. In short, the SportsBoom approach doesn’t just count runs — it measures the heart and hustle of finishing a game like a true champion.
Recommended Articles
Heena Singh is your go-to NFL writer with a knack for turning the gridiron’s biggest moments into must-read stories. She brings a unique mix of sharp insights and quirky vibes, breaking down every touchdown, fumble, and post-game drama like a pro. A die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs (and yes, Patrick Mahomes is her guy), Heena knows how to keep football fans hooked.