World’s Best Finishers in Cricket: Top 10 Batsmen in History

World best finisher in cricket has been a debate for decades. Fans argue about who is the best finisher in cricket, but one thing is clear: the final overs make legends. Many believe MS Dhoni is at the top, considering the formats in cricket, but the list of finishers stretches across eras. 

Cricket fans search the web with similar phrases when discussing finishers. In this article, we look at the top finishers and explain why each has a claim to being the best finisher in cricket history.

List of the Top 10 Best Finishers in Cricket

Now let’s take a look at the list of the World best finishers in cricket across the format, who best exemplify these qualities.

1. MS Dhoni (India)

MS Dhoni is synonymous with finishing. The former Indian captain accumulated more than 4,027 runs in the last 10 overs in ODIs at a strike-rate of 127.67, a record for the World best finisher in cricket.  Captain Cool, Dhoni led India to titles at the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy while remaining unbeaten in 84 ODI innings. 

For many, Dhoni is the World no 1 best finisher in cricket since he is famous for 183* against Sri Lanka and 91* in the 2011 World Cup final that showed how he could time a chase to perfection. 

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2. Michael Bevan (Australia)

Australian left-hander Michael Bevan built his reputation in the 1990s as the prototype ODI finisher. He played 232 ODIs and scored 6,912 runs at an average of 53.58. Bevan remained not out 67 times and his average jumps to 56.71 when batting at number six. Memorable knocks, such as his 78* when Australia were 38/6 against West Indies in 1996, cementing his status as the best finisher in cricket.

Bevan’s methodical run-chasing made fans ask who is the best finisher in world cricket? Some critics still argue that he is the best finisher in history because his era lacked today’s aggressive bats. 

3. AB de Villiers (South Africa)

AB de Villiers redefined shot-making, as the South African superstar scored over 20,000 runs across formats and holds the records for the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), hundred (31 balls), and 150 (64 balls). Making it to the list of the World best finisher in cricket, in 2015 he blasted 149 off 44 balls against West Indies; two years earlier he smacked 101* against England. 

With the ability to hit 360 degrees, de Villiers had bowlers guessing and fans calling him the cricket’s best finisher in the world. 

4. Michael Hussey (Australia)

Nicknamed “Mr Cricket,” Michael Hussey debuted late but quickly became Australia’s steadying force. He scored over 6,000 ODI runs and remained not out in 44 innings. Hussey is the only Australian to accumulate more than 2,000 ODI runs in the last 10 overs, demonstrating his ability to be the World best finisher in cricket history.

His 60* off 24 balls against Pakistan in the 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final remains one of the greatest rescue acts. Hussey’s composed left-hand technique shows why many call him the best finisher in cricket and compare him favourably with contemporaries. 

5. Jos Buttler (England)

English wicket-keeper Jos Buttler is the only player on this list with centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20s, who is often considered the best finisher in cricket. (1) He won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and captained England to the 2022 T20 World Cup. Buttler has amassed around 12,000 international runs and boasts the highest strike rate among English batsmen with over 1,000 ODI runs. 

Key innings include a 110* against Pakistan in 2015 and a vital 77* in the 2019 World Cup final, sparking debate about the best finisher in the world cricket.

6. Vivian Richards (West Indies)

Sir Vivian Richards brought swagger to finishing long before T20 existed. From 1974 to 1991, he scored 8,540 Test runs at an average of 50.23 and 6,721 ODI runs at a strike rate of 90.20, marking his name as the World best finisher in cricket.

Richards’ 189* against England in 1984 and his ability to dominate at the death make some argue he is the best in history. In an era without powerplays, he scored like today’s T20 stars. Many still debate who is the best finisher in cricket, and his name invariably enters the conversation.

7. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Shahid Afridi burst onto the scene as a teenager with a 37-ball ODI century; he held the record for the fastest hundred for 18 years and was the best finisher in cricket. Afridi scored over 10,000 runs across formats and was Player of the Tournament at the 2007 T20 World Cup. 

He later won Player of the Match in the 2009 final when Pakistan lifted the T20 trophy. Known for his six-hitting ability, Afridi’s 124 against Sri Lanka and cameos like 54* have seen him as the best cricket finisher in the world.

8. Hardik Pandya (India)

One of the World best finishers in T20 cricket, India’s Hardik Pandya represents the modern all-round finisher. He has 1,904 ODI runs and 91 wickets and played pivotal roles in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy successes. (2) Pandya has scored 904 runs in T20I death overs, second only to David Miller, and has finished games with knocks like 92* against Australia and 71* in T20Is.

He also holds the record for one of the fastest 50 in IPL history and has the ability to hit yorkers for six under pressure, making him a candidate for the best finisher in cricket.

9. Kieron Pollard (West Indies)

Kieron Pollard is a giant of T20 leagues. He has scored over 12,000 runs in T20 cricket with a strike rate consistently above 150, and in ODIs, he struck at 94.4. Pollard’s 87* off 34 balls against Chennai Super Kings in 2021 and 70* off 27 against RCB in 2012 are etched as the best finisher in world cricket history. 

In international cricket, he has hit more than 234 sixes, averaging roughly 17 balls per six. Pollard’s finishing acts across leagues spark debates over World best finishers in cricket, and his power ensures he belongs on this list.

10. Lance Klusener (South Africa)

Lance Klusener was the star of the 1999 Cricket World Cup, and is considered one of the World best finishers in cricket. (3) The South African all-rounder tallied 281 runs at an astonishing average of 140.5 and took 17 wickets in the tournament. He won four Man-of-the-Match awards and was named Player of the Tournament. 

Klusener’s unbeaten 31* nearly carried South Africa to the final; earlier, he scored 52* against Sri Lanka and 48* against England. Known for explosive hitting and a calm temperament, Klusener set the template for finishing before T20 cricket existed. Debates about who is the best finisher in cricket in the world often include him.

What Makes A Finisher?

The best finisher in cricket history is more than just a hitter. They keep a cool head under pressure, pace a chase, and know when to explode. They excel in death overs, often batting at a strike rate close to 150 or higher, and they finish games unbeaten. Key traits include:

• Timing and power: The ability to clear boundaries at will.
  
• Game awareness: Reading run-rates and bowlers to stay ahead.
  
• Nerves of steel: Calmness when required, 12 runs off the last over.
  
• Consistency: A high average and many not-out innings.
  
• Versatility: Performing across formats and conditions.

Amit Mishra’s Take

Finishing is a blend of composure, timing, and fearless hitting. This list shows that while MS Dhoni stands out as the best finisher in the Indian cricket team, players like Bevan, de Villiers, Hussey, Buttler, Richards, Afridi, Pandya, Pollard, and Klusener each brought something unique. 

The term World best finisher in cricket is subjective; every era has its own master. My personal reflection is that cricket is richer for these pressure artists, and debates like who is the best finisher keep the game alive. Whether you prefer the elegance of Bevan or the brute force of Pollard, finishing will always define cricket’s most thrilling moments.

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External Links

1. Espncricinfo
2. Times of India
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