Alex Hales and Jos Buttler hold the record for the highest partnership in Men’s T20 World Cup history. They added an unbeaten 170-run stand against India in the 2022 semi-final at Adelaide.
Over the years, the Men’s T20 World Cup has seen many match-defining partnerships that have changed games, broken records, and decided big moments. Scroll down below to see the Top 10 highest partnerships in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in Men’s T20 World Cup
Here is the list of the top 10 partnerships in the Men’s T20 World Cup.
| Partners | Runs | Wickets | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Hales, Josh Buttler (ENG) | 170* | 1st | India | Adelaide | 10 Nov 2022 |
| Rilee Rossouw, Quinton de Kock (SA) | 168. | 2nd | Bangladesh | Sydney | 27 Oct 2022 |
| Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 166 | 2nd | West Indies | Bridgetown | 7 May 2010 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) | 154 | 1st | Uganda | Providence | 3 Jun 2024 |
| Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (PAK) | 152* | 1st | India | Dubai (DICS) | 24 Oct 2021 |
| Eion Morgan, ADex Hales (ENG) | 152 | 3rd | Sri Lanka | Chattogram | 27 Mar 2014 |
| Devon Smith, Chris Gayle (WI) | 145 | 1st | South Africa | Johannesburg | 11 Sep 2007 |
| Mahela Jayawardene, Tilakratne Dilshan (SL) | 145 | 2nd | England | Chattogram | 27 Mar 2014 |
| Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (PAK) | 142 | 1st | Bangladesh | Gros Islet | 1 May 2010 |
| Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (IND) | 140 | 1st | Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 3 Nov 2021 |
1. Alex Hales, Jos Buttler: 170 Against India
England crushed India in the 2nd semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on November 10, 2022, at Adelaide, delivering the highest partnership of 170* between Josh Buttler and Alex Hales. India scored 168/6 after batting first, with Hardik Pandya smashing a quick 63 and Virat Kohli adding a fighting half-century.
Despite these efforts, India failed to put enough pressure on England. England responded with a flawless chase, with Alex Hales and Jos Buttler putting on an unbeaten 170-run stand, the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history. Hales powered his way to 86*, while Buttler played a captain’s knock of 80*. Together, they dismantled India’s bowling attack and chased the target in just 16 overs. England won by 10 wickets and marched confidently into the final.
2. Rilee Rossouw, Quinton de Kock: 168 Against Bangladesh
Rilee Rossouw and Quinton de Kock shattered records by adding a massive 168-run partnership, the second-highest in T20 World Cup history, during South Africa’s clash against Bangladesh on October 27, 2022, in Sydney at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. After losing Temba Bavuma early, South Africa took control through this dominant stand.
De Kock played aggressively for his 63, while Rossouw produced a sensational knock of 109 off just 56 balls. Their partnership powered South Africa to a huge total of 205/5. Bangladesh never recovered from the pressure of the chase. South Africa’s fast bowlers attacked early, and Anrich Nortje led the charge with four wickets. Bangladesh collapsed for just 101 in 16.3 overs.
3. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene: 166 Against West Indies
Sri Lanka produced a dominant batting display against the West Indies on May 7, 2010, in Bridgetown during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene put together a brilliant 166-run partnership. After Sanath Jayasuriya fell early, the experienced pair took charge and controlled the innings with calm and authority.
Sangakkara played a classy knock of 68, while Jayawardene remained unbeaten on 98. Their stand lifted Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 195/3. West Indies never looked comfortable in the chase, finishing on 138/8.
4. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran: 154 Against Uganda
Afghanistan played a brilliant match against Uganda on June 3, 2024, at Providence in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran shared a huge 154-run opening partnership, which ranks as the fourth-highest partnership in T20 World Cup history. They batted calmly at first and then increased the scoring with ease. Gurbaz scored 76 runs, while Ibrahim made 70, helping Afghanistan reach a strong total of 183/5.
Uganda struggled from the very first over while chasing the target. Afghanistan’s bowlers stayed accurate and aggressive throughout the innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi led the attack with five wickets, and Rashid Khan bowled with great control. Uganda was bowled out for just 58 runs. Afghanistan won comfortably with 125 runs.
5. Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam: 152* Against India
On October 24, 2021, in Dubai during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam shared an unbeaten 152-run opening partnership, the 2nd highest against India in T20 World Cup history. After India struggled early and finished with 151/7, Pakistan’s openers made the chase look effortless.
Rizwan scored 79*, while Babar played 68*, rotating the strike and punishing loose balls. The target was achieved in just 17.5 overs without losing a wicket. This win was special for Pakistan, as it marked their first-ever victory over India in the T20 World Cup.
6. Eoin Morgan, Alex Hales: 152 Against Sri Lanka
Alex Hales was involved in another big partnership with Eoin Morgan, who built a huge 152-run partnership, the 6th-highest stand in T20 World Cup history. England lost two wickets without a run, but Hales and Morgan stayed calm and took full control of the chase.
Hales played an outstanding innings of 116*, hitting boundaries all around the ground, while Morgan added a steady 57. Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a strong 189/4, with Mahela Jayawardene scoring 89 and Tillakaratne Dilshan making 55. Despite the pressure of a big target, England chased it down in 19.2 overs. The Hales–Morgan partnership turned the match around and sealed a memorable win.
7. Devon Smith, Chris Gayle: 145 Against South Africa
Chris Gayle and Devon Smith added a massive 145-run opening partnership, which ranks as the eighth-highest partnership in T20 World Cup history. After settling in early, Gayle took charge and played one of the most destructive innings ever seen in the tournament.
He smashed 117 runs off just 57 balls, while Smith supported him well with 35. West Indies finished with a big total of 205/6. However, South Africa responded strongly in the chase. Herschelle Gibbs played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 90, and Justin Kemp added quick runs to seal the match. South Africa chased down the target in just 17.4 overs.
8. Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan: 145 Against England
Sri Lanka posted 189/4 in Chattogram, thanks to a strong 145-run partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan. After an early wicket, both batters played with control and confidence. Jayawardene led the attack with a superb 89, while Dilshan supported him well with 55.
Their partnership helped Sri Lanka reach an impressive total of 189/4. England faced early trouble in the chase but fought back through Alex Hales, who scored a brilliant unbeaten 116, and Eoin Morgan, who added 57. England eventually chased down the target in 19.2 overs and won the match. Even in defeat, the Jayawardene–Dilshan partnership remained the biggest highlight of the game.
9. Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal: 142 Against Bangladesh
Pakistan set the tone early against Bangladesh on May 1, 2010, at Gros Islet in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal put together a 142-run opening partnership, which remains the highest partnership for Pakistan in T20 World Cup history.
Both openers batted with intent and kept the scoreboard moving. Akmal scored 73 off 55 balls, while Butt matched him with a quicker 73 off 46 deliveries. Their stand helped Pakistan post a solid total of 172/3. Bangladesh tried to fight back during the chase. Mohammad Ashraful scored 65, and Shakib Al Hasan added 47, but the target stayed out of reach.
10. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul: 140 Against Afghanistan
India dominated Afghanistan on November 3, 2021, at Abu Dhabi in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul added a 140-run opening partnership, which became the first Indian partnership to enter the Top 10 highest partnerships in T20 World Cup history. Both batters played freely from the start and kept the scoring rate high.
Rohit scored 74 off 47 balls, while Rahul made 69 off 48, giving India a strong base. India finished with a massive 210/2, helped by quick runs from Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant at the end. Afghanistan never looked comfortable in the chase and lost early wickets. India’s bowlers stayed disciplined and restricted Afghanistan to 144/7.
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Conclusion: Alex Hales and Josh Buttler Scored the Highest Partnership of 170*
Alex Hales and Jos Buttler hold the record for the highest partnership in Men’s T20 World Cup history with an unbeaten 170-run stand. They are followed closely by Rilee Rossouw and Quinton de Kock, who put together 168 runs against Bangladesh in 2022, and Kumar Sangakkara with Mahela Jayawardene, who added 166 runs against the West Indies in 2010.
Each of these partnerships played a decisive role in shaping their matches. Get more insights and follow us for the latest cricket records, stats, and updates.
