In cricket, a solid partnership isn’t just about runs — it’s about momentum, stability, and often changing the course of the game. The Asia Cup has witnessed several extraordinary partnerships where two players stood tall under pressure and forged unforgettable alliances.
Table of Contents
This article showcases the Top 10 highest partnerships in Asia Cup history, highlighting the moments when batting duos rose above the rest and etched their names into the tournament’s record books.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Asia Cup History
1. Mohammad Hafeez & Nasir Jamshed – 224 Runs vs India (2012)
- Wicket: 1st
- Venue: Mirpur
- Why It’s Special:
Pakistan’s openers dismantled India’s bowling with a massive opening stand. Both scored centuries in one of the most dominant partnerships of the tournament.
2. Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane – 213 Runs vs Bangladesh (2014)
- Wicket: 3rd
- Venue: Fatullah
- Why It’s Special:
Kohli’s fluent century and Rahane’s support ensured India chased down 280+ with ease. It was a masterclass in ODI chasing Highest Partnerships.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya & Kumar Sangakkara – 201 Runs vs Bangladesh (2008)
- Wicket: 2nd
- Venue: Karachi
- Why It’s Special:
A combination of brutal hitting (Jayasuriya) and graceful timing (Sangakkara) that left Bangladesh clueless. Both scored centuries.
4. Rohit Sharma & Shikhar Dhawan – 210 Runs vs Pakistan (2018)
- Wicket: 1st
- Venue: Dubai
- Why It’s Special:
The duo took apart Pakistan’s bowling with pure dominance. Dhawan’s ton and Rohit’s flair made it an unforgettable opening stand.
5. Younis Khan & Shoaib Malik – 223 Runs vs Hong Kong (2004)
- Wicket: 3rd
- Venue: Colombo
- Why It’s Special:
Against associate opposition, the pair cashed in, helping Pakistan post a mammoth total and sending a strong message to the rest of the tournament.
6. Sachin Tendulkar & Sourav Ganguly – 196 Runs vs Sri Lanka (1998)
- Wicket: 1st
- Venue: Dhaka
- Why It’s Special:
The legendary duo brought their A-game, with elegance and aggression perfectly blended. It was vintage Tendulkar-Ganguly brilliance.
7. Tamim Iqbal & Mushfiqur Rahim – 144 Runs vs Sri Lanka (2018)
- Wicket: 1st
- Venue: Dubai
- Why It’s Special:
With a broken wrist, Tamim came out as a last-man hero, helping Mushfiqur post a competitive total. One of the gutsiest stands in Asia Cup history.
8. MS Dhoni & Suresh Raina – 144 Runs vs Hong Kong (2008)
- Wicket: 5th
- Venue: Karachi
- Why It’s Special:
Dhoni-Raina launched a counterattack from 4 down and changed the tempo of the match entirely. Their aggression turned the tide.
9. Mahela Jayawardene & Thilan Samaraweera – 159 Runs vs Bangladesh (2004)
- Wicket: 4th
- Venue: Colombo
- Why It’s Special:
After a poor start, this partnership rescued Sri Lanka and showcased their middle-order depth in a pressure situation.
10. Virender Sehwag & Gautam Gambhir – 133 Runs vs Bangladesh (2008)
- Wicket: 1st
- Venue: Karachi
- Why It’s Special:
Known for aggressive starts, this duo punished the bowlers from ball one and made light work of a challenging total.
Summary Table – Highest Partnerships in Asia Cup
| Players | Runs | Wicket | Opponent | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hafeez & Jamshed (PAK) | 224 | 1st | India | 2012 | Mirpur |
| Younis Khan & Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 223 | 3rd | Hong Kong | 2004 | Colombo |
| Kohli & Rahane (IND) | 213 | 3rd | Bangladesh | 2014 | Fatullah |
| Sharma & Dhawan (IND) | 210 | 1st | Pakistan | 2018 | Dubai |
| Jayasuriya & Sangakkara (SL) | 201 | 2nd | Bangladesh | 2008 | Karachi |
| Tendulkar & Ganguly (IND) | 196 | 1st | Sri Lanka | 1998 | Dhaka |
| Jayawardene & Samaraweera (SL) | 159 | 4th | Bangladesh | 2004 | Colombo |
| Tamim & Mushfiqur (BAN) | 144 | 1st | Sri Lanka | 2018 | Dubai |
| Dhoni & Raina (IND) | 144 | 5th | Hong Kong | 2008 | Karachi |
| Sehwag & Gambhir (IND) | 133 | 1st | Bangladesh | 2008 | Karachi |
Conclusion
Great partnerships are the backbone of memorable victories, and these highest partnerships in Asia Cup history stand tall as moments of dominance, resilience, and sheer brilliance. Whether it was openers taking the attack early or middle-order duos rebuilding under pressure — each partnership had a story to tell.
FAQ – Highest Partnerships in Asia Cup!!
Q1: What is the highest partnership in Asia Cup history?
The highest is 224 runs by Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed for Pakistan against India in 2012.
Q2: Which Indian duo holds the record for the highest Asia Cup partnership?
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hold India’s best with a 213-run partnership against Bangladesh in 2014.
Q3: Have there been 200+ run partnerships more than once?
Yes, there have been at least 4 partnerships that crossed the 200-run mark in the Asia Cup.