Opening partnerships play a big role in ODI cricket. A strong start can give a team confidence and put the opposition under pressure. Some opening pairs have made history with record-breaking partnerships that cricket fans still remember.
In this blog, we look at the top 10 highest opening partnerships in ODI cricket. From huge run stands to unforgettable matches, we will explore the players, their performances, and the moments that made these partnerships truly special.
What is an Opening Partnership in ODI Cricket?
In ODI cricket, the opening partnership refers to the runs scored by the first two batsmen of a team before the first wicket falls. These two players are called the openers, and their job is to give the team a strong start. A good opening partnership sets the tone for the innings and can make the rest of the batting lineup’s job easier.
Strong opening stands put pressure on the opposition and often decide the outcome of the match. Over the years, many opening pairs have made history with record-breaking partnerships that fans still remember.
Highest Opening Partnerships in ODI Cricket
Opening partnerships can change the course of an ODI match. Over the years, some opening pairs have set incredible records that fans still remember. From explosive starts to long, patient innings, these partnerships show the skill and understanding between two top-order batsmen.
Here, we list the highest opening partnerships in ODI history, including players, runs scored, teams, opponents, venues, and match dates.
| Partners | Runs | Team | Opposition | Ground | Match Date |
| JD Campbell, SD Hope | 365 | West Indies | Ireland | Dublin | 5 May 2019 |
| Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman | 304 | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 20 Jul 2018 |
| Tamim Iqbal, Litton Das | 292 | Bangladesh | Zimbabwe | Sylhet | 6 Mar 2020 |
| WU Tharanga, ST Jayasuriya | 286 | Sri Lanka | England | Leeds | 1 Jul 2006 |
| DA Warner, TM Head | 284 | Australia | Pakistan | Adelaide | 26 Jan 2017 |
| Q de Kock, HM Amla | 282* | South Africa | Bangladesh | Kimberley | 15 Oct 2017 |
| WU Tharanga, TM Dilshan | 282 | Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe | Pallekele | 10 Mar 2011 |
| JAH Marshall, BB McCullum | 274 | New Zealand | Ireland | Aberdeen | 1 Jul 2008 |
| TM Head, DA Warner | 269 | Australia | England | Melbourne | 22 Nov 2022 |
| DA Warner, MR Marsh | 259 | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | 20 Oct 2023 |
| DA Warner, AJ Finch | 258* | Australia | India | Wankhede | 14 Jan 2020 |
| SC Ganguly, SR Tendulkar | 258 | India | Kenya | Paarl | 24 Oct 2001 |
| JJ Roy, AD Hales | 256* | England | Sri Lanka | Birmingham | 24 Jun 2016 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran | 256 | Afghanistan | Bangladesh | Chattogram | 8 Jul 2023 |
| SC Ganguly, SR Tendulkar | 252 | India | Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 7 Jul 1998 |
| TM Head, MR Marsh | 250 | Australia | South Africa | Mackay | 24 Aug 2025 |
| HM Amla, RR Rossouw | 247 | South Africa | West Indies | Johannesburg | 18 Jan 2015 |
| AJ Finch, SE Marsh | 246 | Australia | Scotland | Edinburgh | 3 Sep 2013 |
| Q de Kock, HM Amla | 239 | South Africa | England | Centurion | 9 Feb 2016 |
| MS Atapattu, ST Jayasuriya | 237 | Sri Lanka | Australia | Sydney | 9 Jan 2003 |
JD Campbell & SD Hope – 365 Runs – West Indies vs Ireland (Dublin, 5 May 2019)
The opening pair of John Davison (JD Campbell) and Shai Hope (SD Hope) created history for the West Indies with a massive 365-run partnership against Ireland. This remains the highest opening stand in ODI cricket. Both players batted with incredible focus and skill, turning the innings into a dominant performance.
Their partnership gave West Indies a huge total and completely put Ireland under pressure, showing the importance of a strong start in ODI cricket. This stand is remembered as one of the greatest opening partnerships in the history of the game.
Imam-ul-Haq & Fakhar Zaman – 304 Runs – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, 20 July 2018)
The Pakistani openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman put on a remarkable 304-run partnership against Zimbabwe. Their innings was a perfect blend of aggression and stability, giving Pakistan a commanding start. Fakhar Zaman played with powerful stroke-making, while Imam-ul-Haq anchored the innings with patience and consistency.
This partnership not only set a huge total for Pakistan but also highlighted the strength and understanding of the opening pair. It remains one of the highest opening stands in ODI cricket and a memorable performance for cricket fans.
Tamim Iqbal & Litton Das
The Bangladeshi openers Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das produced a spectacular 292-run partnership against Zimbabwe. Tamim led the innings with his experience, playing smart shots and keeping the scoreboard moving, while Litton Das complemented him with aggressive stroke play.
Their partnership gave Bangladesh a strong foundation, allowing the team to post a massive total. This stand is remembered as one of the highest opening partnerships in ODI history and shows how two openers can dominate a match with excellent coordination and skill.
WU Tharanga & ST Jayasuriya – 286 Runs – Sri Lanka vs England (Leeds, 1 July 2006)
The Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya created an incredible 286-run partnership against England. Jayasuriya, known for his aggressive batting, took charge early and set a fast pace, while Tharanga played patiently and built the innings steadily.
Their combination of power and stability gave Sri Lanka a huge opening stand, putting England under immense pressure. This partnership is remembered as one of the most dominant opening stands in ODI history, showcasing teamwork, timing, and the perfect balance between aggression and caution.
DA Warner & TM Head – 284 Runs – Australia vs Pakistan (Adelaide, 26 January 2017)
The Australian openers David Warner and Travis Head put together a massive 284-run partnership against Pakistan at Adelaide. Warner played his usual aggressive game, hitting boundaries and keeping the scoring rate high, while Head complemented him with smart stroke play and steady support.
Their partnership gave Australia a commanding start and set up a huge total, leaving Pakistan under pressure from the very beginning. This stand is remembered as one of the highest opening partnerships in ODI cricket, showing excellent teamwork and dominance at the top of the order.
Q de Kock & HM Amla – 282 Runs – South Africa vs Bangladesh (Kimberley, 15 October 2017)*
The South African openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla produced a remarkable 282-run partnership against Bangladesh. Amla anchored the innings with his calm and classical batting style, while de Kock played aggressively, hitting boundaries and keeping the scoreboard moving.
Their partnership gave South Africa a massive start, setting up a huge total and putting Bangladesh under constant pressure. This opening stand remains one of the highest in ODI history and is celebrated for the perfect balance between steady defense and explosive batting.
WU Tharanga & TM Dilshan – 282 Runs – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe (Pallekele, 10 March 2011)
The Sri Lankan openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan put on an outstanding 282-run partnership against Zimbabwe. Dilshan used his attacking style to keep the scoreboard moving, while Tharanga provided stability and built the innings patiently.
Their partnership gave Sri Lanka a strong foundation, allowing the team to post a massive total and dominate the match from the start. This stand is remembered as one of the highest opening partnerships in ODI cricket, highlighting excellent teamwork and understanding between the two openers.
Final Words
The highest opening partnerships in ODI cricket are a testament to skill, focus, and coordination between two players. A strong start can set the stage for huge totals and memorable victories. These record-breaking stands show what happens when openers perform at their best.
Each partnership in this list reflects teamwork, strategy, and moments of brilliance. From historic runs to unforgettable matches, these openers have given cricket fans some of the most exciting innings ever. Their performances will inspire future generations and remain a proud part of cricket history.
