The highest partnership by wicket in Asia Cup ODI history belongs to Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, who put on an unbeaten 233 for the third wicket against Pakistan in 2023 — the biggest wicket-partnership record the tournament has ever seen.
This article breaks down the top five wicket-partnership records, one by one, with the story and background of every player who built them.
Highest Partnerships by Wicket in ODI Asia Cup: Full List
Check the highest partnerships by wicket in Asia Cup ODI history, featuring the biggest stands from the first wicket to the tenth wicket.
| Players | Against | Partnership | Wicket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez | India, 2012 | 224 runs | 1st |
| Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir | Sri Lanka, 2012 | 205 runs | 2nd |
| Virat Kohli, KL Rahul | Pakistan, 2023 | 233 runs | 3rd |
| MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina | Hong Kong, 2008 | 166 runs | 4th |
| Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal | Bangladesh, 2010 | 137 runs | 5th |
1st Wicket: Nasir Jamshed & Mohammad Hafeez — 224 runs (vs India, 2012)
The highest opening stand in Asia Cup ODI history came in a group match at Mirpur, with both openers scoring centuries.
- Nasir Jamshed: An aggressive left-handed opener known for his clean striking through the off-side. He made 112 off 104 balls in this innings.
- Mohammad Hafeez: A steady, technically sound opener and part-time off-spinner who contributed 105. Their 224-run stand helped Pakistan post 329/6 in 50 overs.
What makes this record unusual is the result: despite the commanding start, Pakistan lost the match, as Virat Kohli chased the target down with a legendary unbeaten 183.
2nd Wicket: Virat Kohli & Gautam Gambhir — 205 runs (vs Sri Lanka, 2012)
This stand, also from the 2012 Asia Cup, came in India’s match against Sri Lanka at Mirpur and helped India control the chase with precision.
- Virat Kohli: India’s premier chase-master, known for pacing an innings perfectly against spin and pace alike. He struck 108 off 120 balls.
- Gautam Gambhir: A gritty, dependable left-handed opener whose composed 100 off 118 balls perfectly complemented Kohli’s aggressive intent.
3rd Wicket: Virat Kohli & KL Rahul — 233 runs (vs Pakistan, 2023)
The record for the highest partnership by any wicket in Asia Cup ODI history. Batting first in the Super Four stage at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, Kohli and Rahul added an unbeaten 233 for the third wicket, guiding India to 356/2 and a 228-run win.
- Virat Kohli: Finished unbeaten on 122, his aggressive intent setting the tone throughout.
- KL Rahul: A stylish, technically correct batter capable of opening or batting lower down the order; he finished unbeaten on 111.
This stand is also the highest-ever partnership for India against Pakistan in ODI cricket, breaking a record that had stood since 1996.
4th Wicket: MS Dhoni & Suresh Raina — 166 runs (vs Hong Kong, 2008)
This partnership came in India’s 2008 Asia Cup match against Hong Kong at Karachi’s National Stadium.
- Suresh Raina: A left-handed middle-order batter renowned for his fearless approach against pace bowling.
- MS Dhoni: India’s finisher and captain, famous for reading a chase and controlling the tempo of an innings better than almost anyone of his era.
Their 166-run stand remains the benchmark for the fourth wicket in Asia Cup ODI history.
5th Wicket: Shahid Afridi & Umar Akmal — 137 runs (vs Bangladesh, 2010)
Pakistan’s captain played a captain’s knock in this 2010 Asia Cup fixture, combining with Umar Akmal for a match-defining stand.
- Shahid Afridi: A destructive, big-hitting all-rounder and captain, known for changing the course of an innings in a matter of overs. He smashed a 60-ball 124, hitting 17 fours and four sixes.
- Umar Akmal: An attacking middle-order batter with quick hands and an unorthodox approach; he contributed 50 off 57 balls.
Together, their 137-run stand remains the record for the fifth wicket in Asia Cup ODI history.
Key Insights From These Five Records
- Three of the five records involve Virat Kohli — for the 2nd wicket (with Gambhir) and the 3rd wicket (with Rahul), making him the most prolific partnership-builder in Asia Cup ODI history.
- Two of the five records were both set in the 2012 edition — the Jamshed-Hafeez 224 and the Kohli-Gambhir 205, making it arguably the most partnership-rich edition in tournament history.
- The Jamshed-Hafeez 224 is the only record on this list set in a losing cause — a reminder that a big partnership doesn’t always translate into a win.
- Afridi’s 124 remains one of the fastest captain’s knocks in Asia Cup history, striking at over 200.
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Conclusion
From Jamshed and Hafeez’s 224 to Kohli and Rahul’s record-breaking 233, these five partnerships capture some of the biggest individual and combined performances in Asia Cup ODI history.
Each tells its own story, a losing opening stand, a chase built on partnership, and a captain’s counter-attack among them. As future editions unfold, these records remain the benchmark every new pair will be measured against.
FAQs
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 233 for the 3rd wicket against Pakistan in 2023.
Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez, with 224 runs for the 1st wicket against India in 2012, set in a match Pakistan went on to lose.
Virat Kohli, who features in both the 2nd-wicket and 3rd-wicket records.
