Top five unbeaten opening partnerships in the history of T20Is

Twenty-over internationals can be challenging as it is the shortest format of cricket. Moreover, it is considered as the format of the batters as it is them who break the records often. Justifiably, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan bounced back in the second T20I against England and registered the second-highest unbeaten opening partnership. 

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We have now handpicked the top five unbeaten opening partnerships in T20I history. Here are the five unbeaten opening partnerships in T20I history: 

1) Balaji Pai and Louis Bruce - 213* for Gibraltar 

Balaji Pai, Louis Bruce (Image Source: Twitter)

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This is the highest-ever registered unbeaten opening partnership in the history of the format. It is the fourth-highest opening partnership overall and the highest unbeaten partnership among openers. 

The duo created this record for Gibraltar against Bulgaria on May 2022 after the team chose to bat first. Louis Bruce scored 99 runs and remained unbeaten till the end. His batting partner scored 86 runs and the duo put on 213 runs without losing a wicket at the end of the innings.

2) Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan - 203* for Pakistan

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Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (Image Source: Twitter)

After losing the first T20I against England, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan joined hands in the second T20I yet again. However, much to the surprise of the team, the duo chased down a target of 200 all by themselves and registered the second-highest unbeaten opening partnership of 203. 

Pakistan matched the lead on the back of their stupendous innings and Babar Azam roared back up to form with a thumping century. The Men in Green ended up winning the match by ten wickets. 

3) Balaji Pai and Louis Brace - 172* for Gibraltar

Balaji Pai, Louis Bruce (Image Source: Twitter)

Balaji Pai and Louis Brace duo has made it to the list yet again. The duo might have made it to the headlines had they been from a well-known country. However, speaking of the record, the duo put on a total of 172* against Bulgaria in 2021. 

The partnership continued until the skipper Balaji Pai retired after scoring a century. This partnership inspired the team further and since then, the duo has only seen an upward journey. 

4) Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson - 171* for New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (Image Source: Twitter)

Chasing down a total of 168 set by Pakistan in the 2nd T20I at Hamilton in 2016, the openers Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson created the record. The record created by the duo is the fourth-highest unbeaten opening partnership as of now. 

Martin Guptill remained unbeaten on 87, while Kane Williamson scored a gritty 72. The duo powered the Kiwis to a stunning win off just 17.4 overs and proved a point.

5) Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan - 152* for Pakistan

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (Image Source: Twitter)

India had never lost to Pakistan in a World Cup match before this encounter in the 20-20 World Cup 2021. However, this game turned out to be a nightmare for the Men in Blue as they lost the match by ten wickets. 

Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam marked the crease chasing a target of 152. While many expected India to clinch the win, the duo powered Pakistan to their first-ever win against India in the World Cup. Much to the misery of Indian fans, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan won the match by ten wickets putting on a partnership of 152 for the first wicket.