T20 World Cup: Highest Batting Partnerships In T20 World Cup History

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The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup is set to start on October 16th, where 16 teams will fight it out to win the prestigious T20 World Cup. Australia, which was supposed to host the World Cup in 2020, is now hosting it in 2022. 

The batter-dominated T20 format will have a hint of excitement this year courtesy of fast bowling-friendly pitches in Australia. Let's take a look at the top 5 highest partnerships in T20 World Cup history. 

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#5. Tilakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene (145 runs, 2014)

In the group 1 match of the T20 World Cup 2014 between Sri Lanka and England at Chattogram, Sri Lanka lost opener Kusal Mendis in the 2nd over of the innings. However, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene held the crease, adding 145 runs in 94 balls for the 2nd wicket. Dilshan scored 55 runs off 47 balls (4x4, 6x2) while Jayawardene smacked 89 runs off 51 balls (4x11, 6x3) as Sri Lanka posted 189/4 in 20 overs. 

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#4. Chris Gayle and Devon Smith (145 runs, 2007)

In the first match of the inaugural T20 World Cup, West Indies and South Africa clashed in a high-scoring match. Batting first, West Indies openers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith gave an explosive start, etching a partnership of 145 runs in 13.2 overs. While Smith scored 35 runs off 34 balls (4x3), Chris Gayle was the main aggressor as he smashed 117 runs in 57 balls, laced with 7 fours & 10 sixes. West Indies posted a massive 205/6 in 20 overs. 

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#3. Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan (152 runs, 2014)

In the same match where Dilshand and Jayawardene etched a partnership of 149 runs to take Sri Lanka to 189, England batters Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan stepped up with an even bigger partnership. England were off to a bad start, losing Michael Lumb and Moeen Ali in the first over for ducks. However, Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan held the crease as they etched a partnership of 152 runs in 93 balls for the third wicket. Hales smashed an unbeaten 116 runs off 64 balls (4x11, 6x6) while Morgan contributed with 57 runs off 38 balls (4x7, 6x2) as England chased down the total in 19.2 overs, winning the match by 6 wickets. 

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#2. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (152* runs, 2021)

Pakistan rescripted history as they defeated India for the first time in any ICC event in 2021. Chasing 152 in the group match in T20 World Cup, Pakistan openers were on song as they etched a partnership of 152* runs in 107 balls, taking Pakistan to a 10-wicket win against arch-rivals India. Rizwan scored 79* runs off 55 balls (4x6, 6x3) while captain Babar scored 68* runs off 52 balls (4x6, 6x2). 

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#1. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara (166 runs, 2010)

While batting first against West Indies in a group match of T20 World Cup 2010, the viewers witnessed the highest batting partnership in T20 World Cup history. As Sri Lanka lost Sanath Jayasuriya in the 3rd over, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara etched a partnership of 166 runs in 99 balls. Jayawardene scored an unbeaten 98 runs off 56 balls (4x9, 6x4) while Sangakkara smacked 68 runs off 49 balls (4x5, 6x3) as Sri Lanka posted 195/3 in 20 overs. The Lankan team went on to win the match by 57 runs after halting Sri Lanka to 138/8.