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Top 10 Highest Partnerships in T20 Cricket (Updated 2026)

When cricket records are discussed, the focus usually falls on top run-scorers or leading wicket-takers. Yet, a key record often overlooked is the highest partnership for any wicket, which holds particular importance in the T20 format. The shortest form of cricket highlights partnerships as they can shape the outcome dramatically, often allowing lesser-known teams like Japan and Scotland to showcase their talent.

Below is a list of the top 10 highest partnerships ever recorded in T20 International matches.

Highest Partnerships in T20 International Cricket

  • Rank: 1Players: L Yamamoto-Lake & K Kadowaki-FlemingRuns: 258*Wicket: 1stTeam: JapanOpponent: ChinaVenue: Mong KokDate: 15 Feb 2024
  • Rank: 2Players: Musaddiq Ahmed & B Kohler-CadmoreRuns: 238Wicket: 1stTeam: GermanyOpponent: AustriaVenue: KrefeldDate: 1 May 2026
  • Rank: 3Players: Usman Ghani & Hazratullah ZazaiRuns: 236Wicket: 1stTeam: AfghanistanOpponent: IrelandVenue: DehradunDate: 23 Feb 2019
  • Rank: 4Players: JC Buttler & HC BrookRuns: 233Wicket: 2ndTeam: EnglandOpponent: IndiaVenue: SouthamptonDate: 11 Jul 2026
  • Rank: 5Players: DJM Short & AJ FinchRuns: 223Wicket: 1stTeam: AustraliaOpponent: ZimbabweVenue: HarareDate: 3 Jul 2018
  • Rank: 6Players: Dylan Steyn & S DaviziRuns: 220Wicket: 1stTeam: Czech RepublicOpponent: BulgariaVenue: MarsaDate: 12 May 2022
  • Rank: 7Players: BA Pai & L BruceRuns: 213*Wicket: 1stTeam: GibraltarOpponent: BulgariaVenue: MarsaDate: 13 May 2022
  • Rank: 8Players: NT Tilak Varma & SV SamsonRuns: 210*Wicket: 2ndTeam: IndiaOpponent: South AfricaVenue: JohannesburgDate: 15 Nov 2024
  • Rank: 9Players: Manpreet Singh & G GuneRuns: 208*Wicket: 4thTeam: SingaporeOpponent: IndonesiaVenue: SingaporeDate: 25 Jun 2026
  • Rank: 10Players: Mohammad Rizwan & Babar AzamRuns: 203*Wicket: 1stTeam: PakistanOpponent: EnglandVenue: KarachiDate: 22 Sep 2022

Details Behind Some Notable Partnerships

Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam - Pakistan: This pair appears twice in the list. In April 2021, they built a strong 197-run opening stand against South Africa at Centurion. Rizwan scored an unbeaten 73 off 47 balls, while Babar smashed 122 runs from 59 balls. Then in September 2022, they bettered that with a 203* unbeaten partnership versus England in Pakistan, where Rizwan scored 88 and Babar 110.

George Munsey & Kyle Coetzer - Scotland: In September 2019 during the Ireland Tri-Nation series, Munsey and Coetzer crafted a 200-run opening partnership against the Netherlands. Munsey remained unbeaten on 127 with 14 sixes, and Coetzer contributed 89 runs, powering Scotland to a comfortable win.

Tilak Varma & Sanju Samson - India: November 2024 saw this Indian duo put together an unbeaten 210-run second-wicket stand against South Africa in Johannesburg. Samson scored 109 with nine sixes, while Varma blasted an unbeaten 120, hitting ten sixes, leading India to a dominant win.

D’Arcy Short & Aaron Finch - Australia: Back in July 2018, these two piled on 223 runs against Zimbabwe in Harare. Finch’s 172 remains the highest individual T20I score, featuring 16 fours and 10 sixes. Short added 46 runs, supporting Finch’s assault.

Jos Buttler & Harry Brook - England: In July 2026, during a T20I against India at Southampton, Buttler and Brook smashed 233 runs together. Buttler scored 131 while Brook was unbeaten on 95, setting a massive total of 257 for 3.

Usman Ghani & Hazratullah Zazai - Afghanistan: In February 2019 at Dehradun, this pair hammered a 236-run opening stand against Ireland. Zazai’s unbeaten 162 featured 16 sixes, placing him second for the highest T20I individual score.

Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake & Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming - Japan: The record holders for the highest partnership in T20 cricket, the Japanese openers scored an unbeaten 258 against China in February 2024. Yamamoto-Lake scored 134* and Kadowaki-Fleming 109*, both hitting numerous sixes to set this world record.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who holds the highest partnership in T20 cricket? Japan’s opening pair, L Yamamoto-Lake and K Kadowaki-Fleming, with an unbeaten 258 runs.
  • Have any teams scored over 300 in T20 matches? Yes, three teams have crossed the 300-run mark in T20 cricket.
  • Which players have scored 150 or more in T20 internationals? AJ Finch, Hazratullah Zazai, and YSD Seneveratne have all reached 150+ runs in T20Is.
  • Which team holds the record for the highest partnership overall? The Japan national cricket team holds this record.

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