World Cup 2023: Highest Opening Partnerships in ODI World Cup History (1975 – 2019)

Highest Opening Partnerships in ODI World Cup History – The Cricket World Cup is famous for its impressive batting performances, often driven by a handful of key players. In the One Day International (ODI) format, batters play a pivotal role in securing victory for their team. The foundation for a successful match is often laid by the opening batters. When they form a substantial partnership, it sets the stage for the following batters to score runs quickly and efficiently.

In this article, we’ll explore the most remarkable Best Opening Partnership in ODI World Cup History. Also read, Best Bowling Figures in ODI World Cup.

Highest Opening Partnership in ODI World Cup

Here are the list of World Cup Highest Opening Partnerships:

Batters	Partnership	Against	Venue	Year
Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)	282	Zimbabwe	Pallekele	2011
Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)	231*	England	Colombo (RPS)	2011
Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti (Pakistan)	194	New Zealand	Manchester	1999
KL Rahul and RG Sharma (India)	189	Sri Lanka	Leeds	2019
G Kirsten and AC Hudson (South Africa)	186	Netherlands	Rawalpindi	1996
SR Watson and BJ Haddin (Australia)	183	Canada	Bengaluru	2011
RB McCosker and A Turner (Australia)	182	Sri Lanka	The Oval	1975
KL Rahul and RG Sharma (India)	180	Bangladesh	Birmingham	2019
WTS Porterfield and PR Stirling (Ireland)	177	Netherlands	Kolkata	2011
G Kirsten and HH Gibbs (South Africa)	176	New Zealand	Birmingham	1999

Highest Opening Partnerships in the World Cup

Here are Top 3 Highest Opening Partnerships in ODI Cricket World Cup:

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 282

Number one on the list of best opening partnerships is the remarkable teamwork of former Sri Lankan opening batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga. They were at their best during the 2011 tournament.

In the 26th group stage match against Zimbabwe, Dilshan and Tharanga performed exceptionally well, hitting impressive centuries in the first innings and making it tough for Zimbabwe’s bowlers.

Also read, Best Batting Averages in ODI World Cups

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 231*

Grabbing the second position once more are the former Sri Lankan opening pair, Tharanga and Dilshan. During the 2011 ODI World Cup’s 4th quarter-final, Sri Lanka faced a target of 229 runs. Dilshan and Tharanga joined forces, crafting an impressive unbeaten partnership of 231 runs.

This stellar teamwork led the team to a resounding victory by 10 wickets. This defeat stands as one of England’s most humiliating moments in ODI World Cup history.

Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti (Pakistan) – 194

In the 1999 World Cup’s first semifinal, the former Pakistani openers, Wajahtullah Wasti and Saeed Anwar, put on an exceptional batting show. Faced with a target of 241 runs against New Zealand, the Men in Green witnessed a remarkable partnership.

The opening duo combined their efforts to achieve a whopping 194-run collaboration for the first wicket. Anwar’s remarkable performance included a fantastic century, leaving him unbeaten with a score of 113 runs. It will be intriguing to observe which team’s openers will provide vital support for their side.

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