Alex Hales and Jos Buttler hold the record for the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history, with 170 runs against India in 2022. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has become one of the most thrilling cricket tournaments on the planet. Since its start in 2007, the tournament has seen many memorable batting displays.
Several pairs have formed major partnerships and thrilled fans with their stroke play. In this article, we look at the top 10 highest partnerships in T20 World Cup history.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in T20 World Cup History
Let’s dive deep into the top partnership stats in the T20 World Cup.
| # | Partners | Runs | Wicket | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AD Hales, JC Buttler | 170* | 1st | England | v India | Adelaide | 10 Nov 2022 |
| 2 | RR Rossouw, Q de Kock | 168 | 2nd | South Africa | v Bangladesh | Sydney | 27 Oct 2022 |
| 3 | KC Sangakkara, DPMD Jayawardene | 166 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | v West Indies | Bridgetown | 7 May 2010 |
| 4 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran | 154 | 1st | Afghanistan | v Uganda | Providence | 3 Jun 2024 |
| 5 | Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam | 152* | 1st | Pakistan | v India | Dubai (DICS) | 24 Oct 2021 |
| 6 | EJG Morgan, AD Hales | 152 | 3rd | England | v Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 27 Mar 2014 |
| 7 | DS Smith, CH Gayle | 145 | 1st | West Indies | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
| 8 | DPMD Jayawardene, TM Dilshan | 145 | 2nd | Sri Lanka | v England | Chattogram | 27 Mar 2014 |
| 9 | Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal | 142 | 1st | Pakistan | v Bangladesh | Gros Islet | 1 May 2010 |
| 10 | RG Sharma, KL Rahul | 140 | 1st | India | v Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 3 Nov 2021 |
1. Alex Hales and Jos Buttler (170* Runs)
Alex Hales and Jos Buttler sit at the top of the T20 World Cup partnership charts with 170 runs against India. This unbroken stand came in the 2022 semi-final at Adelaide Oval. England captain Buttler scored 80 not out off 49 balls while Hales smashed 86 not out off 47 deliveries.
Their partnership helped England chase down 169 without losing a wicket. The duo hit 13 fours and 10 sixes between them during the chase. This stand remains the highest opening partnership in T20 World Cup history. England won by 10 wickets with 24 balls to spare and went on to win the tournament.
2. Rilee Rossouw and Quinton de Kock (168 Runs)
Rilee Rossouw and Quinton de Kock hold the second position with 168 runs against Bangladesh. This partnership came in the Super 12 stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rossouw scored a magnificent 109 off 56 balls while de Kock contributed 63 off 38 deliveries.
The left-handed duo smashed 11 fours and 11 sixes during their stand. They came together after captain Temba Bavuma fell in the first over. Rossouw’s century was the first of that tournament. South Africa won the match by 104 runs after bowling out Bangladesh for just 58.
3. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (166 Runs)
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene rank third with 166 runs against the West Indies. This second-wicket partnership came during the 2010 T20 World Cup at Bridgetown. Jayawardene top-scored with a stunning 98 off 56 balls while Sangakkara made 68 off 49 deliveries.
The Sri Lankan legends put on a batting masterclass that day. They hit nine fours and four sixes between them. Their stand helped Sri Lanka post 195 for 3. The bowlers then defended the total as Sri Lanka won by 57 runs. This partnership remains the highest by any Sri Lankan pair in T20 World Cup history.
4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran (154 Runs)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran take the fourth spot with 154 runs against Uganda. This opening stand came in Afghanistan’s first match of the 2024 T20 World Cup at Providence, Guyana. Gurbaz scored 76 off 45 balls while Zadran contributed 70 off 46 deliveries.
The Afghan openers set the tone for a dominant tournament run. They hit 13 fours and five sixes during their partnership. Afghanistan posted 183 for 5 and then bowled out Uganda for just 58. Fazalhaq Farooqi took a five-wicket haul as Afghanistan won by 125 runs.
5. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam (152* Runs)
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam hold the fifth position with 152 runs against India. This unbroken opening stand came during the 2021 T20 World Cup at Dubai. Rizwan scored 79 not out off 55 balls while captain Babar made 68 not out off 52 deliveries.
This partnership helped Pakistan break its World Cup jinx against India. The duo chased down 152 without losing a wicket. Shaheen Shah Afridi had earlier taken three wickets to restrict India. Pakistan won by 10 wickets with 13 balls to spare. It was their first-ever victory against India in World Cup history.
6. Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales (152 Runs)
Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales share sixth place with 152 runs against Sri Lanka. This third-wicket partnership came during the 2014 T20 World Cup at Chittagong. Hales scored a brilliant 116 not out off 64 balls while Morgan contributed 57 off 38 deliveries.
England had lost two wickets in the first over without scoring a run. Hales and Morgan then turned the match around with their rescue act. Hales hit seven sixes and nine fours in his maiden T20 international century. England chased down 190 with four balls to spare and won by six wickets.
7. Devon Smith and Chris Gayle (145 Runs)
Devon Smith and Chris Gayle occupy the seventh position with 145 runs against South Africa. This opening partnership came in the very first match of T20 World Cup history, in 2007, in Johannesburg. Gayle scored a stunning 117 off 57 balls while Smith made 35 off 34 deliveries.
Gayle’s century was the first-ever in T20 World Cup history. He dominated the partnership with 10 sixes and seven fours. The stand came in just 13.3 overs before Smith was dismissed. West Indies posted 205 for 6, but South Africa chased it down thanks to Herschelle Gibbs’ brilliant 90 not out.
8. Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan (145 Runs)
Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan share the eighth spot with 145 runs against England. This second-wicket partnership also came at Chittagong during the 2014 T20 World Cup. Jayawardene scored 89 off 51 balls while Dilshan contributed 55 off 47 deliveries.
The Sri Lankan pair batted with great skill against England’s attack. They hit 15 fours and five sixes between them. Sri Lanka posted 189 for 4 but England chased it down. Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan responded with their own 152-run stand. England won by six wickets in a high-scoring thriller.
9. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal (142 Runs)
Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal stand ninth with 142 runs against Bangladesh. This opening partnership came during the 2010 T20 World Cup at Gros Islet, St Lucia. Both batters scored exactly 73 runs each. Akmal made his runs off 55 balls while Butt faced 46 deliveries.
The Pakistani openers completely dominated Bangladesh’s bowling attack. They reached their 100-run partnership in just 11.4 overs. Pakistan posted 172 on the board after their departure. The bowlers then restricted Bangladesh to 151 for 6. Pakistan won by 21 runs.
10. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (140 Runs)
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul complete the top ten with 140 runs against Afghanistan. This opening partnership came during the 2021 T20 World Cup at Abu Dhabi. Rohit scored 74 off 47 balls while Rahul contributed 69 off 48 deliveries.
India needed a big win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. The openers delivered with this record partnership for India in the T20 World Cup. They surpassed Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag’s 136-run stand from 2007. India posted 210 for 2 and won by 66 runs.
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Conclusion: Alex Hales and Jos Buttler Have The Highest Partnership In The T20 World Cup (170)
The top 10 partnerships in the T20 World Cup have shaped the tournament with brilliant performances over the years. Alex Hales and Jos Buttler lead the pack with their unbroken 170-run stand and continue to inspire future generations. Pairs like Rossouw-de Kock and the Afghan duo of Gurbaz-Zadran have shown that records can be challenged in future editions.
The mix of established stars and emerging talents on this list shows the global appeal of T20 World Cup cricket. These partnerships have provided countless memorable moments and will continue to entertain fans at upcoming tournaments.
