Top 5 opening partnerships in T20 cricket
Although T20 cricket is known to favour the batters, there are also several challenges which players need to tackle to thrive in this format. With an innings comprising just 120 legal deliveries, batters certainly have the license to attack bowlers from the outset. Also, the bats are being manufactured of the highest quality that can also take edges and mistimed shots over the line.
However, the matter of the fact is all it takes one delivery to end a batter’s stay at the crease. Hence, a player can’t afford to be reckless while trying to up the ante. Meanwhile, openers are critical to a side’s performance in the longest format of the game. If they fail, there’s pressure on the middle-order batters. However, bowlers endure a hard time more often than not whenever both openers’ click.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the top five highest opening partnerships in T20 cricket:
5. Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis – 207
It was the 2019-20 edition of the Big Bash League and Melbourne Stars openers gave a hard time to Sydney Sixers. Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis batted brilliantly and added 207 runs for the first wicket. Notably, Stoinis was the chief contributor in this partnership, scoring 147 off 79 deliveries while Cartwright scored 59. Their efforts took the Stars to an emphatic 44-run triumph.
4. Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly – 207
Essex had a forgettable time against Kent in the 2017 edition of the T20 Blast. Kent’s decision to bat first in Chelmsford proved to be spot on as Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly gave the side a flying start. The two openers scored runs for fun and added 207 runs for the first wicket. While Denly slammed 127, Bell-Drummond made 80.
3. Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt – 209
The third spot on this list is occupied by Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt. It was the 2017 edition of the National T20 Cup and the venue was Rawalpindi. Islamabad’s decision of bowling first after winning the toss proved to be disastrous as Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt put up a batting exhibition. While Akmal made 150 runs, Butt supported him with 55. The duo eventually took Lahore Whites to a 109-run triumph.
2. Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short – 223
History was witnessed when Australia and Zimbabwe met in the third match of the 2018 Tri-Series which also feature Zimbabwe. Aaron Finch and D’Arcy Short made a mockery of Zimbabwe bowlers and added 223 runs for the first wicket. Finch went on to record the highest individual T20I score, 172, while Short accumulated 46 runs. The Aussie openers took their side to a 100-run victory.
1. Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani – 236
The top spot on this list is occupied by Afghanistan’s opening pair Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani. The duo set the record partnership against Ireland in 2016. Zazai was the chief contributor in this partnership, scoring 162 off 62 deliveries. At the same time, Usman Ghani scored 73 runs. Afghanistan eventually went on to clinch the contest by 84 runs.
