Top 5 ODI batting performances of 2021

#3 James Vince - 102 off 95 vs Pakistan (Birmingham)

James Vince lofts one during the 3rd ODI against Pakistan. Pic: Getty Images

Despite his obvious talent, James Vince has been a serious under-performer in international cricket. One of his best batting efforts came in the third ODI of the series against Pakistan in Birmingham. England were set a target of 332 after Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hammered 158 and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 74. Vince’s hundred saw England cross the winning line with two overs to spare.

Playing with a second-string side after the original squad was sent into isolation due to COVID-19, England had already won the series by clinching the first two ODIs. Vince ensured the hosts completed a series whitewash. England lost Dawid Malan for a duck while Phil Salt and Zak Crawley fell in their 30s. However, Vince struck 11 fours in his impressive knock and featured in a sixth-wicket stand of 129 with Lewis Gregory (77).

Vince did not go on an all-out attack but kept finding the boundaries at regular intervals to ease the pressure, allowing the others to bat around him. He reached a patient fifty off 45 balls and opened up by crashing Hasan Ali for consecutive fours. Vince brought up his hundred by slamming the same bowler for another boundary. He holed out soon after, but had done enough to ensure England eased to victory.

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#2 Andy Balbirnie - 102 off 117 vs South Africa (Dublin)

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie. Pic: Getty Images

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie led from the front as the minnows created history by registering their first-ever ODI win over South Africa. Balbirnie scored a top-class 102 off 117 as Ireland posted a competitive 290 for 5 after being sent into bat in the second ODI of the three-match series in July.

Opening the innings, the Ireland skipper hit 10 fours and two sixes against a quality South African bowling line-up featuring Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. Balbirnie smashed pacer Nortje for three fours in the sixth over. He built on the start and reached a half-century off 51 balls.

Balbirnie patiently reached 90 after which he slog-swept Maharaj for a six over deep midwicket. The Ireland batter brought up his seventh ODI hundred by pushing Shamsi to cover for a single. He was dismissed soon after, chipping Rabada to mid-off. The bowlers then ensured that their captain’s knock did not go in vain. Ireland cleaned up South Africa for 247 to register their maiden ODI triumph over the Proteas.

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#1 Fakhar Zaman - 193 off 155 vs South Africa (Johannesburg)

Fakhar Zaman during his knock of 193 in the Johannesburg ODI. Pic: Getty Images

Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman played a spectacular innings during the second ODI of the three-match series against South Africa in Johannesburg in April. The visitors were chasing 342 for victory and Zaman single-handedly kept the team in the hunt with a terrific 193-run knock off 155 balls.

Opening the innings, Zaman struck 18 fours and 10 sixes during the course of his innings. Thanks to his efforts, Pakistan had hope in the chase even as wickets kept falling at the other end. Zaman struck Lungi Ngidi for three fours in the eighth over to get some momentum into his innings. However, he needed 70 balls to get to his fifty, which he reached by clobbering Rabada for a maximum.

The left-hander found better rhythm and brought up a memorable hundred off 107 balls with a four off Nortje. Zaman broke loose after that. He clubbed left-arm spinner Shamsi for two sixes in the 42nd over and dispatched the bowler for three consecutive maximums in his next.

Despite Zaman’s exploits, Pakistan went into the last over needing 31 to win. The left-hander was dismissed in bizarre fashion off the first ball. The batter slowed down while returning for a second run as Quinton de Kock’s gesture suggested the throw was going to the bowler’s end. Zaman slowed down and was run out by a direct hit. Pakistan lost the ODI by 17 runs, but Zaman won hearts and the Player of the Match award.