All-Time Highest Partnerships in Asia Cup History

1. KL Rahul & Virat Kohli – 233* (India vs Pakistan, 2023, Colombo)

Wicket: 3rd

Match: Super Four, Colombo, September 10–11, 2023

Result: India won by 228 runs

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (122 off 94)*

The 2023 edition saw the highest-ever partnership in Asia Cup history, as KL Rahul and Virat Kohli formed a superb 233-run unbeaten stand for the third wicket against Pakistan.

Joining at 123/2 after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s quick fifties, the duo dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack with skill and grace. Kohli’s footwork and timing were flawless, while Rahul, returning from injury, played one of the most composed innings of his career.

Their partnership took India to a formidable 356/2 — the highest total in Asia Cup history against Pakistan. Kohli finished with 122* (94), Rahul with 111* (106), and together they rewrote the record books.

This stand surpassed the previous best of 224 between Hafeez and Jamshed (2012) and stands as a masterclass in controlled aggression, highlighting India’s batting depth in modern limited-overs cricket.

2. Mohammad Hafeez & Nasir Jamshed – 224 (Pakistan vs India, 2012, Mirpur)

Wicket: 1st

Match: Group Stage, Mirpur, March 18, 2012

Result: India won by 6 wickets

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (183 off 148)

Before Kohli and Rahul’s 2023 assault, the record for the highest partnership belonged to Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed, who combined for a remarkable 224-run opening stand against India in 2012.

Their dominance was complete — Pakistan raced past 150 inside 25 overs, punishing India’s pacers relentlessly. Hafeez was his usual steady self, scoring a calm 105, while Jamshed’s 112 off 104 balls was filled with crisp timing and fearless strokeplay.

Although Pakistan eventually lost due to Kohli’s career-defining 183-run chase, Hafeez and Jamshed’s record-breaking partnership marked a milestone in Asia Cup history. For years, it stood as a symbol of Pakistan’s batting cohesion in ODIs and remains the highest opening stand in the tournament’s history.

3. Younis Khan & Shoaib Malik – 223 (Pakistan vs Hong Kong, 2004, Colombo)

Wicket: 3rd

Match: Group Stage, Colombo, July 18, 2004

Result: Pakistan won by 173 runs

Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (118 & 4/19)

In 2004, Pakistan demonstrated their all-round strength against Hong Kong, powered by a brilliant 223-run partnership between Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik.

After early wickets, the duo took control, stabilising the innings before bursting into action in the later overs. Malik’s 118 (110) was an outstanding display — he also took four wickets later — while Younis Khan’s 144 (122) showcased control and elegance.

Their partnership propelled Pakistan to 343/5, setting the stage for a dominant 173-run victory. It was one of the earliest instances of Pakistan’s middle-order dependability.

4. Babar Azam & Iftikhar Ahmed – 214 (Pakistan vs Nepal, 2023, Multan)

Wicket: 5th

Match: Opening Game, Multan, August 30, 2023

Result: Pakistan won by 238 runs

Player of the Match: Babar Azam (151 off 131)

The 2023 edition featured another partnership among Pakistani batsmen, which entered the Asia Cup’s top five partnerships — both were from Pakistan.

Against debutants Nepal, captain Babar Azam and middle-order star Iftikhar Ahmed shared a remarkable 214-run stand for the fifth wicket, rescuing Pakistan after a shaky start.

Babar’s magnificent 151 — full of drives, sweeps, and flicks — was perfectly supported by Iftikhar’s energetic 109 off 71 balls, marking his maiden ODI century.

Their partnership changed Pakistan’s innings from 124/4 to 342/6, setting up a commanding victory. This stand not only highlighted Pakistan’s batting depth but also their skill in rebuilding and dominating under pressure.

5. Virat Kohli & Ajinkya Rahane – 213 (India vs Bangladesh, 2014, Fatullah)

Wicket: 3rd

Match: Group Stage, Fatullah, February 26, 2014

Result: India won by 6 wickets

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (136 off 122)

The 2014 edition saw another Kohli masterclass, this time with Ajinkya Rahane. Chasing 280 against Bangladesh, India faced early trouble at 54/2 before the pair steadied the innings with a steady 213-run partnership for the third wicket.

Kohli’s elegant 136 (122) was a lesson in chasing — he rotated the strike skilfully and punished anything loose. Rahane complemented him with 73 (83), playing the ideal foil.

Their partnership propelled India to victory with six balls remaining, reaffirming Kohli’s reputation as one of the greatest chasers in ODI history. This partnership remains one of India’s best at the Asia Cup, both in context and execution.

More 200+ Partnerships That Shaped Asia Cup History

While the top five partnerships dominate the record books, several other monumental stands have contributed to the Asia Cup’s rich history, shaping matches, titles, and careers. These partnerships, just outside the top five, highlight how consistent teamwork and batting brilliance have defined Asia’s premier cricket tournament.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s 210-run opening stand against Pakistan in 2018 demonstrated dominance, as India won with ease. Decades earlier, Moin-ul-Atiq and Ijaz Ahmed’s 205-run stand for Pakistan against Bangladesh in 1988 laid the groundwork for one of the tournament’s earliest record-breaking innings. In 2012, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s 205-run partnership against Sri Lanka displayed class and precision, leading India to a commanding victory.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s legendary duo Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya combined for 201 runs in 2008 — a mix of power and grace that decimated Bangladesh’s bowling attack. Each of these partnerships not only influenced the outcome of their matches but also reflected the evolving styles of Asian cricket across generations — from patient construction to fearless, attacking brilliance.

Legacy of the 200+ Partnerships

Across eras — from Ijaz Ahmed’s 1988 brilliance to Rohit and Dhawan’s modern dominance — these partnerships have shaped not only matches but also the identity of the Asia Cup itself.

Together, these record-breaking stands highlight one truth — the Asia Cup belongs to partnerships that turn pressure into opportunity.

Format-Specific Milestones & Records

Highest Partnership in ODI Asia Cup:

KL Rahul & Virat Kohli – 233* vs Pakistan (2023, Colombo)

Highest Opening Partnership:

Mohammad Hafeez & Nasir Jamshed — 224 vs India (2012, Mirpur)

Highest Middle-Order Partnership:

Younis Khan & Shoaib Malik – 223 vs Hong Kong (2004, Colombo)

Highest Partnership in a T20 Asia Cup:

Pathum Nissanka & Kusal Perera – 127 vs India (2025, Dubai) (T20 format record)

Highest Partnership for India in the T20 Asia Cup

Kl Rahul & Virat Kohli 119 – vs Afghanistan (2022, Dubai)

FAQ,s

KL Rahul and Virat Kohli — 233* runs versus Pakistan in 2023 (Colombo).

Both India and Pakistan have registered four each.

Mohammad Hafeez & Nasir Jamshed — 224 runs against India (2012).

No, the highest partnership in the T20 Asia Cup is Pathum Nissanka & Kusal Perera – 127 runs against India (2025, Dubai).

Final Word

Partnerships are the backbone of cricket — and in the Asia Cup, they define champions. From Kohli’s precise consistency to Hafeez’s classic strokeplay and Malik’s all-round mastery, each duo has left a mark on the tournament’s rich history.

As the Asia Cup continues to develop across formats, these record-breaking partnerships stand as milestones — reminders that in cricket, as in life, the greatest victories come through teamwork, trust, and timing.