Top 10 Highest Partnerships in T20 Cricket (2026 Update)
Cricket fans often debate the top run-scorers and wicket-takers, but partnerships hold their own importance, especially in T20 cricket. The shortest format highlights the value of strong partnerships between two players, which can lead to challenging totals or successful chases. This list covers the highest partnerships recorded in T20 international matches as of 2026.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in T20 Internationals
- Partners: L Yamamoto-Lake & K Kadowaki-Fleming
- Runs: 258*
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Japan
- Opposition: China
- Ground: Mong Kok
- Match Date: 15 Feb 2024
- Partners: Musaddiq Ahmed & B Kohler-Cadmore
- Runs: 238
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Germany
- Opposition: Austria
- Ground: Krefeld
- Match Date: 1 May 2026
- Partners: Usman Ghani & Hazratullah Zazai
- Runs: 236
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Afghanistan
- Opposition: Ireland
- Ground: Dehradun
- Match Date: 23 Feb 2019
- Partners: JC Buttler & HC Brook
- Runs: 233
- Wicket: 2nd
- Team: England
- Opposition: India
- Ground: Southampton
- Match Date: 11 Jul 2026
- Partners: DJM Short & AJ Finch
- Runs: 223
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Australia
- Opposition: Zimbabwe
- Ground: Harare
- Match Date: 3 Jul 2018
- Partners: Dylan Steyn & S Davizi
- Runs: 220
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Czech Republic
- Opposition: Bulgaria
- Ground: Marsa
- Match Date: 12 May 2022
- Partners: BA Pai & L Bruce
- Runs: 213*
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Gibraltar
- Opposition: Bulgaria
- Ground: Marsa
- Match Date: 13 May 2022
- Partners: NT Tilak Varma & SV Samson
- Runs: 210*
- Wicket: 2nd
- Team: India
- Opposition: South Africa
- Ground: Johannesburg
- Match Date: 15 Nov 2024
- Partners: Manpreet Singh & G Gune
- Runs: 208*
- Wicket: 4th
- Team: Singapore
- Opposition: Indonesia
- Ground: Singapore
- Match Date: 25 Jun 2026
- Partners: Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam
- Runs: 203*
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Pakistan
- Opposition: England
- Ground: Karachi
- Match Date: 22 Sep 2022
Noteworthy Partnerships and Performances
This Pakistani opening pair scored 197 runs against South Africa in April 2021 at Centurion. Rizwan stayed unbeaten on 73 from 47 balls with five fours and two sixes, while Babar Azam dominated with 122 off 59 deliveries featuring 15 fours and 4 sixes.
Scotland’s openers led a commanding win with a 200-run stand against the Netherlands during the Ireland Tri-Nation series. Coetzer scored 89 with 11 fours and 5 sixes, while Munsey dazzled with an unbeaten 127 including 14 sixes.
In another feat, Rizwan and Babar combined for an unbeaten 203 against England. Rizwan made 88 off 51 balls, and Babar struck 110 from 66 deliveries. Together, they hold the highest partnership runs by any pair in T20Is, accumulating 3300 runs across 73 innings.
Indian batsmen Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson put on an unbroken 210-run partnership in Johannesburg. Samson scored 109 with six fours and nine sixes, while Varma blasted 120 not out featuring 10 sixes. Their effort led India to a huge 135-run victory.
The Gibraltar openers Pai and Bruce shared a massive 213-run undefeated partnership. Pai scored 86 with 11 fours, and Bruce added 99 with 11 fours as well.
Steyn and Davizi dominated the Bulgarian attack, compiling 220 runs. Davizi remained unbeaten on 115, and Steyn contributed 106.
Aaron Finch smashed a record 172 off 76 balls, supported by Short's 46, to set up a 223-run partnership that crushed Zimbabwe by 105 runs.
Buttler scored 131 and Brook 95* to create a breathtaking 233-run partnership against India, setting England up for a total of 257 for 3.
Afghanistan’s openers produced 236 runs, with Zazai unbeaten on 162 including 16 sixes. Ghani added 73 to help Afghanistan beat Ireland comfortably.
Japan’s duo holds the record for the highest T20 partnership with 258 runs unbeaten. Kadowaki-Fleming scored 109 with 11 sixes, while Yamamoto-Lake made 134 including 12 sixes, both unbeaten at Mong Kok.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who holds the highest partnership in T20? The Japanese openers L Yamamoto-Lake and K Kadowaki-Fleming with 258* runs.
- Has any team scored 300+ in T20? Yes, three teams have crossed the 300-run mark in T20 matches.
- Who has scored 150+ in T20 internationals? AJ Finch, Hazratullah Zazai, and YSD Seneveratne are among the few to reach 150 in T20Is.
- Which team holds the highest partnership? Japan's national cricket team holds this record.
