Top 5: Highest Opening Partnerships in ODI Cricket

One of the most exciting aspects of ODI cricket is the dynamic opening. The openers are supposed to set the tempo and flow of an innings, so they become the foundation of success for a team.

A powerful opening partnership can demoralise the opposition, keep the pressure off the middle order, and set up or chase down formidable targets. Some opening duos have built monumental innings, completely outclassing their opposition and rewriting record books in the process.

In this article, we will talk about the top 5 highest opening partnerships in ODI Cricket between individuals of different nations.

5. David Warner & Travis Head (Australia): 284 runs vs Pakistan | Adelaide, 2017

Australia’s opening duo of David Warner and Travis Head stood up for a formidable 284-run partnership against Pakistan in Adelaide on 26 January 2017.

Warner was in sensational form, smashing 179 from 128 balls, while Head played the perfect supporting role with 128 from 137 balls. Their partnership helped Australia post a daunting total of 369/7 in their 50 overs.

The Pakistani bowlers had no answer to Warner’s power-hitting and Head’s consistency. Australia went on to win the match comfortably by 57 runs.

This partnership highlighted Warner’s ability to dominate attacks and Head’s potential as a top-order batsman in ODI cricket.

4. Upul Tharanga & Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): 286 runs vs England | Leeds, 2006

The legendary Sri Lankan pair of Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya took guard for a 286-run opening partnership against England in Leeds on 1 July 2006.

In a chase of 322, Tharanga’s 109 from 102 balls and Jayasuriya’s blistering 152 from 99 balls completely dismantled the English bowling attack. Sri Lanka chased down the target in just 37.3 overs, winning by 8 wickets.

This partnership was remarkable for the way it mixed Tharanga’s calm and slow approach with Jayasuriya’s explosive batting, his traditional way of batting. The partnership not only secured victory but also set a record at their time for the highest run chase in ODIs without losing a wicket.

3. Tamim Iqbal & Liton Das (Bangladesh): 292 runs vs Zimbabwe | Sylhet, 2020

On 6 March 2020, the Bangladeshi opening pair of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das recorded the third-highest opening partnership in ODI history with 292 runs against Zimbabwe in Sylhet. Their partnership was instrumental in Bangladesh posting a commanding total of 322/3 in 50 overs.

Of these two, Liton Das was in blistering form, stroking an excellent 176 from 143 balls; Tamim Iqbal contributed 128 off 109 balls. That stand of a mammoth 292 laid the platform for a comfortable 123-run win for Bangladesh.

The partnership was a perfect blend of aggression and control, with both batsmen building their innings with a lot of precision and confidence, which helped Bangladesh reach the 322-run mark.

2. Fakhar Zaman & Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): 304 runs vs Zimbabwe | Bulawayo, 2018

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan put on a sensational 304-run stand against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on 20 July 2018. For the first time, a Pakistani pairing went on to put more than 300 runs together in an ODI match, and their effort helped Pakistan reach a mammoth 399/1 in 50 overs.

Fakhar Zaman was the star as he belted a double hundred, becoming the first Pakistani to score 200 in ODIs, staying unbeaten on 210 off 156 balls. Imam-ul-Haq assisted him with a cool 113 from 122 balls.

Their partnership dismantled the Zimbabwean bowling attack and led to a massive win by 244 runs for Pakistan.

1. John Campbell & Shai Hope (West Indies): 365 runs vs Ireland | Dublin, 2019

The West Indian duo of John Campbell and Shai Hope held the highest-ever opening partnership in ODI cricket while playing against Ireland in Dublin on 5 May 2019. With the help of this record-breaking partnership of 365 runs, the West Indies scored an incredible 381/3 in 50 overs.

Hope hit a cool and composed knock of 170 runs from 152 balls, and Campbell scorched a blistering knock of 179 runs from 137 balls, hammering the Irish bowlers all through their innings.

The West Indies won the match by 196 runs thanks to their combination, which laid the foundation for a historic triumph. The collaboration not only set records but also demonstrated how a strong opening stand may destroy an opponent.