Top 10 Record-Breaking Partnerships in T20 Cricket (Updated 2026)
When discussing cricket records, attention usually falls on leading run-scorers or wicket-takers. Yet, one key record often overlooked is the highest partnership for any wicket. In T20 cricket, partnerships can define the outcome since two players combining well can either set an unbeatable target or chase down totals with ease.
The shortest format also offers a stage for teams beyond traditional powerhouses—like Japan and Scotland—to showcase their talent. Below is a list of the top 10 highest partnerships in T20 internationals, highlighting the player pairs, runs scored, and match details.
Top 10 Highest Partnerships in T20
- Rank: 1
- Partners: L Yamamoto-Lake & K Kadowaki-Fleming
- Runs: 258* (unbeaten)
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Japan
- Opponent: China
- Ground: Mong Kok
- Date: 15 Feb 2024
- Rank: 2
- Partners: Musaddiq Ahmed & B Kohler-Cadmore
- Runs: 238
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Germany
- Opponent: Austria
- Ground: Krefeld
- Date: 1 May 2026
- Rank: 3
- Partners: Usman Ghani & Hazratullah Zazai
- Runs: 236
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Afghanistan
- Opponent: Ireland
- Ground: Dehradun
- Date: 23 Feb 2019
- Rank: 4
- Partners: Jos Buttler & Harry Brook
- Runs: 233
- Wicket: 2nd
- Team: England
- Opponent: India
- Ground: Southampton
- Date: 11 Jul 2026
- Rank: 5
- Partners: D'Arcy Short & Aaron Finch
- Runs: 223
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Australia
- Opponent: Zimbabwe
- Ground: Harare
- Date: 3 Jul 2018
- Rank: 6
- Partners: Dylan Steyn & Sabawoon Davizi
- Runs: 220
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Czech Republic
- Opponent: Bulgaria
- Ground: Marsa
- Date: 12 May 2022
- Rank: 7
- Partners: BA Pai & Louis Bruce
- Runs: 213* (unbeaten)
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Gibraltar
- Opponent: Bulgaria
- Ground: Marsa
- Date: 13 May 2022
- Rank: 8
- Partners: NT Tilak Varma & SV Samson
- Runs: 210* (unbeaten)
- Wicket: 2nd
- Team: India
- Opponent: South Africa
- Ground: Johannesburg
- Date: 15 Nov 2024
- Rank: 9
- Partners: Manpreet Singh & G Gune
- Runs: 208* (unbeaten)
- Wicket: 4th
- Team: Singapore
- Opponent: Indonesia
- Ground: Singapore
- Date: 25 Jun 2026
- Rank: 10
- Partners: Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam
- Runs: 203* (unbeaten)
- Wicket: 1st
- Team: Pakistan
- Opponent: England
- Ground: Karachi
- Date: 22 Sep 2022
Details Behind Some Top Partnerships
In February 2024, at Mong Kok during the East Asia Cup, Japan's opening pair Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming stunned everyone with an unbeaten 258-run partnership. Yamamoto-Lake scored 134 off 68 balls with 8 fours and 12 sixes, while Kadowaki-Fleming contributed 109 runs off 53 balls including 11 sixes. This remains the highest partnership ever in T20 international cricket.
July 2026 saw Jos Buttler and Harry Brook combine for 233 runs in the 5th T20I versus India at Southampton. Buttler smashed 131 runs from 64 balls, and Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off 45 deliveries, crushing India's bowling and setting a huge total of 257 for 3.
Back in February 2019, Usman Ghani and Hazratullah Zazai put on 236 runs against Ireland at Dehradun. Ghani scored 73, but Zazai stole the show with an unbeaten 162, hitting 16 sixes and 11 fours, making it one of the most explosive innings in T20Is.
In November 2024, Indian batsmen Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson posted an unbroken 210-run stand for the second wicket against South Africa in Johannesburg. Varma blasted 120 not out off 47 balls, and Samson contributed 109 off 56 balls with nine sixes between them, leading India to a dominant victory by 135 runs.
During the Zimbabwe T20 Tri Series in July 2018, Australian openers D'Arcy Short and Aaron Finch forged a 223-run partnership. Finch’s 172 runs remain the highest individual T20I score. Their effort helped Australia crush Zimbabwe by 105 runs.
Other Notable Partnerships
- Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam (Pakistan): Twice in this list, first with 197 vs South Africa in 2021 and then a staggering 203* vs England in 2022, showcasing their consistency and dominance.
- Scotland’s George Munsey & Kyle Coetzer: Opened with 200 runs against Netherlands in 2019, where Munsey’s unbeaten 127 included 14 sixes.
- Czech Republic’s Dylan Steyn & Sabawoon Davizi: Piled on 220 runs against Bulgaria in May 2022.
- Gibraltar’s BA Pai & Louis Bruce: Partnered for 213* against Bulgaria in May 2022.
- Singapore’s Manpreet Singh & G Gune: Posted 208* for the fourth wicket against Indonesia in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who holds the highest partnership in T20? The Japanese opening pair, L Yamamoto-Lake and K Kadowaki-Fleming, with 258* runs unbeaten.
- Has any team scored 300+ in T20? Yes, three teams have crossed the 300-run mark in T20 cricket.
- Who has scored 150 or more in T20? Players like Aaron Finch, Hazratullah Zazai, and YSD Seneveratne have reached 150+ in T20 internationals.
- Which team has the highest partnership? Japan’s national team holds this record.
