Cricket is a game full of thrilling moments, and one of the most exciting aspects is when two players combine to create a powerful partnership. Over the years, several cricketing pairs have forged their names in T20 International (T20I) history by building some of the highest run partnerships in the game. These partnerships not only help their teams but also make the matches more entertaining for fans worldwide.
In T20 cricket, century partnerships are rare and valuable. It takes a great understanding between the players, excellent communication, and the ability to rotate the strike, all while hitting big shots when needed. Some pairs stand out for their incredible consistency and ability to build partnerships that cross the 100-run mark, making them invaluable assets for their teams.
Here, we take a look at the top five pairs with the most century partnerships in T20I cricket.
5. Tony Ura and Assad Vala (Papua New Guinea)
From Papua New Guinea, Tony Ura and Assad Vala have become the backbone of their team’s batting lineup. This pair has batted together in 32 innings and scored 1070 runs with an average of 35.66. They have recorded four century partnerships, with the highest being 137* runs.
Though Papua New Guinea is not one of the biggest teams in world cricket, Ura and Vala have been consistent in delivering strong performances. Their partnership has helped put Papua New Guinea on the T20I map.With 1,070 runs as a pair and an average of 35.66, Ura and Vala have been key players for Papua New Guinea in T20 cricket. Their highest partnership of 137* runs has helped put their team in strong positions on multiple occasions.
4. Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson are another formidable pair in T20I cricket. Both players have been mainstays of the New Zealand team for many years, and their partnership has yielded four-century stands in T20Is. Guptill’s powerful hitting combined with Williamson’s calm and composed style of play makes them a difficult pair to bowl against.
Together, they have scored 1,389 runs in 30 innings with an impressive average of 47.89. Their highest partnership was an unbeaten 171-run stand, one of the highest partnerships in T20I history.
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3. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)
Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are relatively new to the T20I scene but have already made their mark for Afghanistan. In just 24 innings, they’ve scored 1102 runs with an impressive average of 45.91. They have four century partnerships to their name, with a top partnership of 154 runs.
This pair’s chemistry on the field has helped Afghanistan become more competitive in international cricket. With their aggressive style of play, Zadran and Gurbaz have the potential to break many more records in the future.With a total of 1,102 runs together, Zadran and Gurbaz average 45.91 as a pair. Their highest partnership stands at 154 runs, showing that they have the potential to dominate games and take their team to victory.
2. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma (India)
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma are two of India’s finest T20 batters. This powerful Indian duo has shared 42 innings together, amassing 1897 runs at an average of 46.26. They’ve recorded 5 century partnerships, with a high score of 165 runs together.
Their partnership is known for explosive starts, where both players take advantage of the powerplay overs. Rohit’s ability to play big shots combined with KL Rahul’s classic stroke play makes them one of the most dangerous pairs in T20 cricket.The partnership between these two Indian cricketers has produced 1,897 runs in 42 innings, with a strong average of 46.26. Their best partnership was a massive 165-run stand. This pair has been instrumental in giving India strong starts at the top of the order.
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1. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan form the most successful opening pair in T20Is. They’ve played together for Pakistan since 2019 and have set the standard for others. The duo has played a total of 70 innings together and accumulated a staggering 3268 runs with an average of 48.05. They’ve shared 10 century partnerships, which is the most in T20I history.
One of their most memorable partnerships was the 203* run stand, where they showcased their ability to complement each other perfectly. Their partnership is the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, consistently putting up big scores.Their ability to complement each other’s playing styles is what makes them so successful. Babar, with his elegant stroke play, and Rizwan, with his aggressive approach, have created a balanced combination that has troubled bowlers around the world. With 3,268 runs in 70 innings and an impressive average of 48.05, they are the top pair in this category.
Table: Top 5 Pairs with the Most Century Partnerships in T20Is
Partners | Span | Inns | NO | HS | 100s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) | 2019-2024 | 70 | 2 | 203* | 10 |
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (IND) | 2016-2022 | 42 | 1 | 165 | 5 |
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) | 2019-2024 | 24 | 0 | 154 | 4 |
Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (NZ) | 2012-2021 | 30 | 1 | 171* | 4 |
Tony Ura, Assad Vala (PNG) | 2015-2024 | 32 | 2 | 137* | 4 |