Cricket
Best Opening Partnerships in Asia Cup History: Runs, Averages & Strike Rates Ranked
The Asia Cup has often been a key battleground for cricketing supremacy, and there has been plenty of drama. Regularly switching formats between ODIs and T20s, the tournament is fondly remembered for the performances of the opening batters.
A foundation of a good innings is based on taking the initiative at the top of the order. The best opening partnerships in Asia Cup history have been more than just about power hitters; batters have scored runs at crucial times and nabbed quick singles to rotate the strike well.
Nasir Jamshed (R) and Mohammad Hafeez (L) /Getty Images
Among the iconic pairings that have established Asia Cup batting records, are Mohammad Hafeez/Nasir Jamshed (Pakistan) and Shikhar Dhawan/Rohit Sharma (India). In high-pressure situations, these pairings stepped up to the mark and entertained.
But what are the highest partnerships in Asia Cup history? Our comprehensive guide trawls through the stats and offsets this with expert opinion to reach a firm conclusion.
SB Market Index: How We Evaluate Asia Cup’s Best Opening Duos
Our evaluation of the top Asia Cup openers ranked, focused on three aspects. This entailed statistical performance measuring the volume of runs scored in a single innings, partnership efficiency denoting averages and strike rate, and, of course, the industry insights where mentions of best Asia Cup partnerships popped up in discussions.
Putting these elements together formed the ‘SB Market Index’, a custom-built rating system where the results were transparent and fair.
Industry Insights
This involved a curated analysis of mentions from ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, Wisden, and major cricket outlets highlighting the greatest Asia Cup partnerships.
| Source | Hafeez-Jamshed | Dhawan-Rohit | Jayasuriya-Sangakkara | Jayasuriya-Gunawardene | Sehwag-Gambhir |
| ESPNcricinfo – “Asia Cup Records” | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Cricbuzz – “Top 10 Asia Cup Moments” | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wisden – “Great Asia Cup Partnerships” | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sportskeeda – “Asia Cup Records” | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Reddit r/Cricket – Fan polls | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Mentions | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
SB Score
The SB Score was based on the following factors: Runs scored in the partnership (40% weighting), average partnership in the Asia Cup (30%), and Strike Rate during partnerships (30%).
| Rank | Partnership | Runs | Opponent | Venue | Year | SB Score |
| 1 | Hafeez-Jamshed | 224 | India | Mirpur | 2012 | 1.000 |
| 2 | Dhawan-Rohit | 210 | Pakistan | Dubai | 2018 | 0.951 |
| 3 | Jayasuriya-Sangakkara | 201 | Bangladesh | Karachi | 2008 | 0.910 |
| 4 | Jayasuriya-Gunawardene | 191* | Bangladesh | Colombo | 2004 | 0.875 |
| 5 | Sehwag-Gambhir | 127 | Hong Kong | Karachi | 2008 | 0.765 |
SB Market Index
| Rank | Partnership | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Hafeez-Jamshed | 1.000 | 5 | 8.20 |
| 2 | Dhawan-Rohit | 0.951 | 5 | 8.10 |
| 3 | Jayasuriya-Sangakkara | 0.910 | 5 | 8.05 |
| 4 | Jayasuriya-Gunawardene | 0.875 | 3 | 6.35 |
| 5 | Sehwag-Gambhir | 0.765 | 1 | 3.20 |
Hafeez & Jamshed – The Record Breakers of 2012
The Hafeez-Jamshed 224-run partnership against India in 2012 was remarkable. Previously, the best opening stand for Pakistan against India was 144 struck by Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar in 1996, but Hafeez and Jamshed combined for 150 at the halfway mark of this contest. Hafeez was the anchor, while Jamshed blasted the ball to all areas of the ground, and their strong statistical scores spoke volumes about their abilities at the crease.
India pulled off one of the greatest run chases in ODI history, winning with 2.5 overs to spare. Hafeez-Jamshed’s Asia Cup record stood until 2023 before it was broken by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, who racked up an unbeaten stand of 233 against Pakistan.
Dhawan & Rohit – India’s Reliable Run Machine
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma’s Asia Cup exploits were extraordinary. The 210-run stand against Pakistan in 2018 displayed their incredible chemistry. At the time, it was their 13th hundred stand, the second-most for India openers.
Sharma was his aggressive self, reaching an unbeaten 111, while Dhawan’s 114 came off 100 balls, and his strike rate was superb. Both players helped India become the best Asia Cup team, and their excellent SB Scores were backed by solid ‘Industry Insights’ ratings.
Jayasuriya & Sangakkara – Sri Lanka’s Dynamic Duo
Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara’s Asia Cup records were defined by the power of Jayasuriya and the finesse of Sangakkara. Jayasuriya was virtually unstoppable as he bullied Bangladesh into submission in the 2008 Asia Cup Super Four clash, routinely lofting the ball over the infield, while Sangakkara was the perfect support act in their remarkable 201-run stand.
One of the kings of southpaw, Sangakkara used the slog and sweep to great effect, making him a thorn in most sides. They formed one of the greatest ODI partnerships, and a flawless ‘Industry Insights’ mark was underlined by excellent SB Scores.
Jayasuriya & Gunawardene – The Forgotten Giants
A combined knock of 191 Sri Lanka against Bangladesh by Jayasuriya and Gunawardene in the Asia Cup is often forgotten which is strange. Generally, Gunawardene was more inconsistent during his ODI career, but against Bangladesh, everything came together at the top of the order with Jayasuriya.
During their knock, Jayasuriya was devastating, and his cutting was so fluent. Gunawardene was dialled in too, going about his business more quietly, as he let Jayasuriya hog the strike. This duo’s strong SB Market Index Score was pulled down by their ‘Industry Insights’ rating.
Sehwag & Gambhir – India’s Aggressive Pair
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir were once India’s chief wreckers. They weren’t the types to hang around, and Hong Kong discovered that in 2008. The openers surged to 100 in just 10.5 overs, and they put on 127 for the opening stand.
The pair who helped India achieve their highest ODI score (418/5) in 2011, were dismissive of the Hong Kong attack, and they were always on the front foot. Their low ‘Industry Insights’ rating was propped up by a strong ‘SB Score’.
Conclusion on Asia Cup’s Greatest Opening Partnerships
In conclusion, Asia Cup partnerships are more than just the accumulation of runs. It is about timing and feel for the ball, as well as assessing the context of a match to determine when to put the foot on the pedal.
Hafeez-Jamshed were crowned as the top Asia Cup partnership, but Dhawan-Sharma and Jayasuriya-Sangakkara were also iconic, and they made the tournament a thrilling spectacle. These duos played a key role in raising the profile of the Asia Cup and intensifying team rivalries.
Charles Perrin is a highly experienced sports betting content writer with over six years of working with some of the leading sportsbooks in the UK, including bet365 and William Hill.