When two batters find rhythm together, they can dismantle any bowling attack and turn the tide of a T20 match within overs. These explosive batting combinations have produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history, with partnerships that seemed almost impossible to break.
The current record for the highest partnership in T20I cricket belongs to Japan’s L. Yamamoto-Lake and K. Kadowaki-Fleming, who stitched together an unbeaten 258-run opening stand against China in February 2024. This remarkable feat proved that T20 excellence extends well beyond traditional cricketing powerhouses.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the top 10 highest partnerships ever recorded in men’s T20 International cricket.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Men’s T20I Cricket
The table below lists the top 10 highest partnerships in men’s T20I cricket, led by Japan’s record 258-run opening stand.
| Rank | Partners | Runs | Wicket | Team | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L Yamamoto-Lake, K Kadowaki-Fleming | 258* | 1st | Japan | China | Mong Kok | 15 Feb 2024 |
| 2 | Usman Ghani, Hazratullah Zazai | 236 | 1st | Afghanistan | Ireland | Dehradun | 23 Feb 2019 |
| 3 | DJM Short, AJ Finch | 223 | 1st | Australia | Zimbabwe | Harare | 3 Jul 2018 |
| 4 | Dylan Steyn, S Davizi | 220 | 1st | Czech Republic | Bulgaria | Marsa | 12 May 2022 |
| 5 | BA Pai, L Bruce | 213* | 1st | Gibraltar | Bulgaria | Marsa | 13 May 2022 |
| 6 | NT Tilak Varma, SV Samson | 210* | 2nd | India | South Africa | Johannesburg | 15 Nov 2024 |
| 7 | Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam | 203* | 1st | Pakistan | England | Karachi | 22 Sep 2022 |
| 8 | HG Munsey, KJ Coetzer | 200 | 1st | Scotland | Netherlands | Dublin (Malahide) | 16 Sep 2019 |
| 9 | Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam | 197 | 1st | Pakistan | South Africa | Centurion | 14 Apr 2021 |
| 10 | BM Pecic, A Dizija | 197 | 1st | Serbia | Slovenia | Belgrade | 7 Jun 2025 |
Now that you know all the top 10 highest partnerships in T20, let’s see each one in detail:
1. L Yamamoto-Lake and K Kadowaki-Fleming – 258* vs China (2024)
The East Asia Cup 2024 witnessed history when Japan’s opening pair demolished the Chinese bowling attack at Mong Kok. This unbroken 258-run partnership remains the benchmark for T20I batting collaborations.
Japan’s dominance was complete as they cruised to a 180-run victory, highlighting how associate nations can produce world-class batting performances when conditions and form align perfectly.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake | 134* | 68 | 8 | 12 | 197.05 |
| Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming | 109* | 53 | 3 | 11 | 205.66 |
2. Usman Ghani and Hazratullah Zazai – 236 vs Ireland (2019)
Afghanistan’s aggressive brand of cricket was on full display in Dehradun during February 2019. Hazratullah Zazai, known for his explosive hitting, combined with the more calculated Usman Ghani to post 236 runs for the opening wicket.
The partnership propelled Afghanistan to 278 runs, and Ireland’s chase fell short by 84 runs, handing Afghanistan an 84-run victory.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazratullah Zazai | 162* | 62 | 11 | 16 | 261.29 |
| Usman Ghani | 73 | 48 | 7 | 3 | 152.08 |
3. D’Arcy Short and Aaron Finch – 223 vs Zimbabwe (2018)
The Harare Sports Club witnessed Aaron Finch at his devastating best during the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series. Finch smashed 172 runs off just 76 deliveries, which stood as the highest individual T20I score at that time.
His opening partner, D’Arcy Short, provided excellent support as Australia posted 229 runs. Zimbabwe could only muster 99 in reply, losing by 100 runs.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Finch | 172 | 76 | 16 | 10 | 226.31 |
| D’Arcy Short | 46 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 109.52 |
4. Dylan Steyn and Sabawoon Davizi – 220 vs Bulgaria (2022)
European cricket produced a stunning display at Marsa when the Czech Republic faced Bulgaria in the Valletta Cup. Steyn (106 off 55 balls) and Davizi (115* off 59 balls) batted Bulgaria out of the contest with their 220-run opening stand.
The Czech Republic eventually won by 88 runs, demonstrating the growing competitiveness of continental European cricket.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabawoon Davizi | 115* | 59 | 7 | 8 | 194.91 |
| Dylan Steyn | 106 | 55 | 17 | 2 | 192.72 |
5. Avinash Pai and Louis Bruce – 213* vs Bulgaria (2022)
Just one day after the Czech Republic’s record at the same venue, Gibraltar’s openers went one step further with an unbeaten 213-run partnership against Bulgaria.
Pai and Bruce batted through the innings without being separated, setting up a 21-run victory for Gibraltar. This concentration of records at Marsa suggests the ground offers favourable batting conditions.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louis Bruce | 99* | 63 | 11 | 2 | 157.14 |
| Avinash Pai | 86* | 59 | 11 | 1 | 145.76 |
6. Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson – 210* vs South Africa (2024)
India’s newest batting sensation, Tilak Varma, and the explosive Sanju Samson combined for a spectacular 210-run second-wicket stand at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
Varma remained unbeaten on 120 off 47 deliveries with 10 maximums, while Samson contributed 109* from 56 balls. India posted 283 runs, and South Africa was bowled out for 148, losing by 135 runs. This remains the highest second-wicket partnership in T20I history.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | 120* | 47 | 9 | 10 | 255.31 |
| Sanju Samson | 109* | 56 | 6 | 9 | 194.64 |
7. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam – 203* vs England (2022)
Pakistan’s golden opening pair produced their masterpiece in Karachi against England. Chasing 200 runs, Rizwan (88*) and Babar (110*) never looked troubled as they completed the highest successful chase without losing a wicket in T20I history.
Their unbroken 203-run stand saw Pakistan home with 12 balls remaining and all 10 wickets intact.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 110* | 66 | 11 | 5 | 166.66 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 88* | 51 | 5 | 4 | 172.54 |
8. George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer – 200 vs Netherlands (2019)
Scotland’s opening combination destroyed the Netherlands at Malahide during the Ireland T20I Tri-Series. Munsey struck 127 runs while captain Coetzer added 89 as Scotland posted 252/3 in their 20 overs.
The Netherlands reached 194 in response, falling 58 runs short. This partnership announced Scotland as a force in Associate cricket.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Munsey | 127* | 56 | 5 | 14 | 226.78 |
| Kyle Coetzer | 89 | 50 | 11 | 5 | 178.00 |
9. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam – 197 vs South Africa (2021)
The Rizwan-Babar combination appears twice in this top 10, underlining their remarkable consistency. At Centurion during the third T20I, they put on 197 runs while chasing 204.
Babar’s 122 off 59 balls marked the highest individual score by a Pakistani batter in T20Is at that time. Pakistan won by nine wickets with 12 balls remaining.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 122 | 59 | 15 | 4 | 206.77 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 73* | 47 | 5 | 2 | 155.31 |
10. BM Pecic and A Dizija – 197 vs Slovenia (2025)
Serbia’s emergence in European cricket was confirmed when Pecic and Dizija matched Pakistan’s legends with a 197-run opening partnership against Slovenia in Belgrade.
This recent addition to the record books demonstrates how T20 cricket continues to grow globally, with European nations producing increasingly competitive performances.
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braithyn Pecic | 102 | 42 | 7 | 10 | 242.85 |
| Alexander Dizija | 79* | 41 | 7 | 6 | 192.68 |
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Conclusion: Evolution of T20 – Written Through Partnerships
The highest partnership records in T20I cricket reflect the format’s evolution and global expansion from Japan’s groundbreaking 258-run stand to the consistent excellence of Pakistan’s opening pair.
These partnerships represent the pinnacle of collaborative batting in the shortest format. As T20 cricket continues spreading to new territories and established nations refine their approach, these records will face fresh challenges in the years ahead.
