12 of the History’s Best Finisher in Cricket

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If you are a cricket fan, you know the hype it carries around. Many people around the world love and go crazy over Cricket. The game has been popular regardless of gender and age for an extended period. But what makes it more special?

Despite each player’s unique role, the inevitable result after tumultuous hours is undoubtedly thrilling. The probable game changer, the Finisher, is usually the one who can turn the tables instantaneously.

When you hear the names like MS Dhoni and AB De Villiers, you know who these folks are and how they can turn a game on the pitch into a thrilling adventure. 

best finisher in cricket
Best Finisher in Cricket( Source: BDCricTime.com)

Finishers like Dhoni, Kholi, Pollard, and others are those players who can score quickly while maintaining their calm in high-pressure situations. A skill that makes them best and unique from others.

Did Buttler, Hussey, and Shahid Afridi make it to our list?

Let’s dig into the 12 of history’s Best Finishers in Cricket. Comment below who, according to you, should be at number 1 and why!

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Best Finisher in Cricket

12. Keiron Pollard

(Country: West Indies)

Number 12 on this list is one of the incredible players from the West Indies, Keiron Pollard, one of the fantastic captains of the West Indies Team.

The all-rounder Keiron is undoubtedly the best fieldman and superb catcher in the game. Additionally, Keiron’s brute strength helps to smack the ball out of the stadium.

Pollard was among the most sought-after players in the 2010 IPL auction because of his outstanding performances in the 2009 Champions League T20 and the Big Bash. 

kieron-pollard
Kieron Pollard (source:ICC)

Likewise, the right-hand player is among the most paid players in T20 leagues due to his excellent hitting skills. 

The West Indies player’s popularity skyrocketed once he joined the Mumbai Indians in 2010. 

The 34-year-old has appeared in 171 IPL matches, scoring 3157 runs at an average of 30.54 with a strike rate of 149.57. 

And while Poland has 16 half-centuries, the best of which was 83 runs. 

11. Virat Kohli

(Country: India)

The world loves him, and we do, too. Virat Kohli-one of the biggest names in Cricket with a considerable fan base, has emerged as one of the world’s most popular and prolific cricketers.

Also, the player is said to have astonishing adaptability, allowing him to play in every format of Cricket. Similarly, the 34-year-old player is said to be one of the greatest batsmen.

virat kohli in ICC world T20 2016
Virat Kohli in ICC world T20 2016 (Source: Zee News.com)

The current captain made his debut for Delhi against Tamil Nadu in November 2006, scoring ten runs in his first innings.

Kohli rose to fame after leading the Indian U-19 cricket team to victory in the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup. In August 2008, Virat made his first appearance for India in an ODI match against Sri Lanka.

Moreover, his most significant achievements are that he has the global record for being the fastest batsman reaching 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 runs in one-day international Cricket.

The man has some of the best records, with a test rating of 937 points, an ODI rating of 911 points, and finally, a T20I rating among Indian batters of 897 points.

10. Javed Miandad

(Country: Pakistan)

The player is one of the best cricketers Pakistan has ever had. Javed Miandad is one of the talented right-hand batsmen. 

Similarly, the legend is one of the best batsmen in Pakistan’s Team History. The player made his debut for Karachi Whites during a Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP) in 1973. 

The player, who was still 16 years old, made a solid first impression by hitting 50 runs in his maiden innings. Similarly, as days passed, he obtained many records and achievements.

In ESPN Legend of Cricket, he was voted the 44th best cricketer of all time. 

Javed-Miandad
Javed Miandad (Source: Pakistan Stamp)

Aside from having a unique playing style, he could hit the ball properly in the gaps. At the same time, Miandad had a good technique, such as the best position and angle to hit the ball. And again, he is known for the reverse sweep.

Moreover, Javed Miandad earned 1083 runs in 33 games throughout six World Cup competitions.

After his retirement, he is influencing the Pakistan team through the role of coach. 

9. Jos Buttler

(Country: England)

The player is known as one of the versatile cricketers. Jos Buttler is one of those rare players who can both start and complete an innings.

The English player has also been dubbed a “360-degree” cricketer due to his ability to recognize and manipulate rival teams’ field placements while scoring from all over the pitch.

Similarly, the wicket-keeper has elevated his game to new heights and is now often considered the world’s most fantastic Finisher. 

In One-Day Internationals, Butler averages 39.7 with a strike rate of 116.97. 

Jos-Buttler
Jos-Buttler (Source: The Mirror)

While his strike rate and average will be sufficient in and of itself to propel him to supremacy, as a result of his performance and record, people generally call him England’s best white-ball batsman of all time.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has the talent of combining efficiency with extravagance. But, at the same time, Butler has never let his team down when the game was on the line.

As a result, England won the 2019 World Cup, when Buttler served as vice-captain.

8. Micheal Hussey

(Country: Australia)

The Left-handed player is one of the most productive players in the world. Michael Hussey is a renowned player and one of the best left-handed batters in the world.

Mike Hussey is known as Mr. Cricket due to his impeccable technique, all-around contributions to Australian Cricket at domestic and international levels, and his vast understanding of the game.

micheal hussey best finisher
Michael Hussey showing his skill (Source: SportsKeeda.com)

Hussey then made his first-class debut for Western Australia at 19 in 1994. However, Australia’s powerful middle-order kept him from making an early international debut.

But he kept rising, and his immense talent paved the way for an international debut. 

His performance includes 711 runs in 26 innings at an average of 71.10, including four half-centuries and 50 effective run-chases in ODI cricket.

Micheal Hussey’s batting prowess, talent, and advanced playing have earned him the finest Finisher in cricket history.

7. Lance Klusenar

(Country: South Africa)

Similar to Hussey, the player is an excellent left-handed batsman. Lance Klusenar is one of the finest one-day international all-rounders in history.

He had a talent for bringing some of the last games back to life by scoring runs with such clarity of mind. 

Similarly, his remarkable abilities make him one of Cricket’s finest finishers. In 49 matches, he had the highest score of 179 and the best wicket average of 8/64 in numerous test matches.

Lance-Klusenar
Lance Klusenar (Source: Getty Images)

Klusenar started his career between 1991 and 2004. And the player played for KwaZulu-Natal (Nashua Dolphins) in the South African domestic league.

His international career includes scoring 1,906 runs in 49 matches with a top score of 174 and test matches including 80 wickets with a best of 8/64.

He scored 3,576 runs at an average of 41.1 in 171 ODIs, with a top score of 103, and 192 wickets, with a best of 6/49.

As a result of which, he is number seven on our list.

6. Viv Richards

(Country: West Indies)

The man is known as the greatest batsman of all time. Viv Richards is one of the biggest names in Cricket and among the third-best batters after Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar

Viv is one of the finest finishers in cricket history because of his ability to affect the outcome of any game. With his fearless personality and playing style, he was a crowd favorite. 

With his outstanding batting talents, he can transform the game anytime. Richards made his debut when he was 19 years old, in January 1972. 

He represented the Leeward Islands in a non-competition match against the Windward Islands: Richards scored 20 and 26 points, respectively.

Later, throughout his career, he earned 8,540 runs at an average of 50.23 in 121 Test matches, including 24 centuries.

Similarly, he won 27 of 50 Test matches as captain and only lost 8. Also, Richards has collected over 36,000 runs in first-class Cricket and over 7,000 runs in One-Day Internationals.

After such outstanding contributions to Cricket, Richards now works as a cricket commentator and a team leader.

5. Micheal Bevan

(Country: Australia)

Number 5 on this list is Micheal Bevan. Over time, his accomplishment and performance made him known as one of the “Greatest Finishers.”

Bevan was a left-handed Australian middle-order batsman. In 1996 and 1999, Australia won two of the three World Cup finals in which he appeared.

Michael Bevan of Australia in action
Michael Bevan of Australia in action( Source: ICC Cricket.com)

The player’s test career ended before it had begun, but he became one of the greatest ODI players of all time.

Baren could use his brain faster. As a result, he could get his team out of the most hazardous circumstances. 

During the game, he always appeared calm and controlled and even could play during the pressure.

He represented Australia in 232 One Day Internationals (ODIs). In December 2002, the Wisden Guide ranked Bevan as the fifth-greatest ODI batsman of all time.

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4. Shahid Afridi

(Country: Pakistan)

Shahid Afridi, often known as Boom Boom, rose to fame in one-day international Cricket for Pakistan as a hard-hitting batsman and subsequently as a finisher.

He is one of the famous cricket players in Pakistan. He also won many matches for Pakistan because of his excellent finishing ability, making him one of the best finishers in history.

Afridi’s assertive and confident personality is one of the critical features of his playing style. In addition, the player is known to have an aggressive playing style and the ability to produce six.

Likewise, one of the memorable games was against India at the Asia Cup when he smashed two consecutive sixes off Ashwin to send Pakistan over the line. Thus, establishing him as one of the game’s best finishers.

The Pakistani player scored 1,716 runs in 27 Tests, including five hundred, for an average of 36.51. He also got 48 wickets at a 35.60 average.

3. Abdul Razzaq

(Country: Pakistan)

The Pakistani player is one of the outstanding all-rounders in Cricket. Abdul Razzaq has excellent batting and bowling skills, making him one of the dominant players in history.

The player is one of the best finishers in Cricket. At the same time, some of his outstanding skills include long-range shooting ability.

He could take down any attack in the death overs and grind them for runs. The right-handed guy loved to show off his skills towards the end of the inning.

Similarly, Razzaq was one of the players who did exceptionally well from his younger age. He became the youngest player in test cricket history when he scored a hat-trick against Sri Lanka at 20.

He is one of the most threatening batters in Pakistan. Abdul Razzaq scored 47 runs off 11 balls against England in 2005. However, he was unable to break the record for the quickest fifty.

2. AB De Villiers

(Country: South Africa)

The legend himself, AB De Villiers, is a record-breaker. He has created legendary records in the history of Cricket.

Also, AB is one of the best batsmen of the contemporary age. De Villiers holds the records for the quickest 50, 100, and 150 runs in ODI cricket. 

Likewise, he is the only batter to average more than 50 with a strike rate of more than 100.

AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers magic on the field( Source: News18.com)

Moreover, Villiers has been a prolific run-scorer for every side he has played. 

In Tests, he averages 52.09, and in One Day Internationals (ODIs), he averages 53.65, but in T20, he averages just over 31 with a strike rate of 139.86, demonstrating his consistency across all formats.

AB de Villers has made Cricket more interesting. As a result, he is one of the best finishers and a successful cricketer in cricket history.

1. MS Dhoni

(Country: India)

Now the player himself, the legendary MS Dhoni. Everyone knows this name. He is one of the most successful and outstanding players in cricket history.

And if somebody asks who is the best Finisher in Cricket. Everybody will answer MS Dhoni. The man is calm, confident, outstanding, and manages to complete a near-death run-chase.

He has a unique style of playing. He would occasionally induce the opponent to make mistakes, allowing him to lead his side to victory in a challenging situation.

MS-Dhoni
MS-Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

Dhoni had turned several seemingly complex game scenarios in India’s favor. He has deadly and devastating batting talents towards the conclusion of the game.

During his ODI career, Dhoni took part in 112 successful run chases. He scored 2,556 runs at an average of 91.28, including 19 half-centuries and a century, and is often considered Cricket’s finest Finisher.

Similarly, he is given the title “greatest wicket-keeper in cricket history.”

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Conclusion

Here is the list of 12 of History’s Best Finishers in Cricket. Who is your favorite Finisher? Please freely comment and share your views on this article. 

Aaditya Bhatta
Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta

Aaditya Bhatta is a dynamic writer and sports enthusiast, whose passion for both realms is reflected in his work. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Aaditya brings a unique perspective to his writing, captivating readers with his engaging content.

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Aaditya's journey as a writer and sports aficionado began at a young age when he discovered his passion for both pursuits. Throughout his academic and professional endeavors, Aaditya has honed his skills in content creation and sports analysis, immersing himself in the intricacies of the games he loves.

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Comments

  1. I think, this time is an update version of game cricket,,,so it is meaningless to compare present players to 90’s player

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