Afghanistan stands out as one of the most formidable and awe-inspiring teams in the T20I arena. Renowned for their deadly prowess, Afghanistan boasts an arsenal of remarkable bowlers and dynamic all-rounders. Their bowlers, armed with a potent mix of pace, spin, and unerring accuracy, strike fear into opponents. From Rashid Khan’s mesmerising leg-spin to the fiery pace of Naveen-Ul-Haq, their attack is a force to be reckoned with.
Notably, their all-rounders contribute significantly, blending explosive batting with wicket-taking abilities. Players like Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib offer a perfect balance, turning matches on their heads with their match-winning performances. Afghanistan‘s rise in the T20I circuit underscores their status as an awe-inspiring and lethal force to reckon with. However, no one talks about their batting performances, which are mostly overshadowed by their bowlers. So in today’s article, we will discuss their top 3 opening partnerships in T20Is.
3. Nawroz Mangal and Mohammad Shahzad 91 vs. Oman in the T20 Challenge
In the Desert T20 Challenge, Afghanistan clinched a final berth by overpowering Oman with an eight-wicket triumph. Chasing 150, Afghanistan secured victory with nine balls to spare. The highlight was a stellar 91-run opening partnership between Nawroz Mangal and Mohammad Shahzad. Shahzad’s impressive 80 off 60 balls and Mangal’s 34 off 30 balls laid the foundation for Afghanistan’s convincing victory.
Their innings showcased their prowess, securing a remarkable fifth consecutive T20I win against Oman. Oman displayed resilience in the first innings, battling fatigue from a previous match. Despite giving Oman a few chances, Afghanistan’s dominance became evident during their chase.
2. Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani 95 vs. Zimbabwe
In the 2015 Zimbabwe tour, Afghanistan secured a historic T20 win with their highest run chase against Zimbabwe. In the pivotal second T20 match of the series, Zimbabwe posted a challenging 191-run target. Afghanistan’s splendid opening partnership between Usman Ghani (65 off 45 balls) and Mohammad Shahzad (95 off 1st wicket partnership) defused pressure and set the tone for a remarkable chase. This is the second-highest opening partnership for Afghanistan till now and the highest for any associate nation at that time.
The partnership set the stage for Gulbadin Naib’s explosive knock of 56 not out off 31 balls, steering Afghanistan to victory. Their collective effort enabled Afghanistan to achieve a record-breaking total of 191 runs, a testament to their batting prowess. The partnership and exceptional performances showcased Afghanistan’s rising stature in the T20 arena.
1. Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani 236 vs. Ireland
Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani established the highest opening partnership record in T20 Internationals, amassing 236 runs against Ireland in February 2019. This historic match witnessed Afghanistan post an imposing total of 278/3, the highest team score in T20Is. Zazai’s exceptional performance included an unbeaten 162 off 62 balls, featuring a remarkable 11 fours and 16 sixes, resulting in a stunning strike rate of 261.29.
He ranks among the select few to have scored over 150 runs in T20Is, alongside Australia’s Aaron Finch. Zazai’s 16 sixes in that inning set a new record, and Afghanistan’s dominance was evident with multiple overs yielding 20+ runs. The resounding victory marked Ireland’s shortfall by 84 runs in response.