Top 3 opening partnerships in ODI World Cup

One of the cricketing world’s most anxiously awaited events is the World Cup. The prestigious competition, which is set to occur every four years, is keenly anticipated by people all around the world. The current World Cup 2023 is scheduled to occur in India during the month of October. The top 10 teams will face off against one another in an effort to win the prestigious championship.

Opening partnerships in such big events are really important as it lifts up the momentum of the entire team and also releases the pressure form the batters to follow next inline. These partnerships also help the batting team get an early edge over the bowling team. Let us now look at Top 3 opening partnerships in ODI World Cup;

282-Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga vs Zim in 2011

The Sri Lankan duo of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga were in a different league altogether throughout the tournament as both the batters racked up piles of runs to help see the Sri Lankan side into the finals of the 2011 edition of the World Cup. 

In a match against the Zimbabwe side, both these openers combined together to stich a record-breaking partnership of 282 runs for the first wicket. It is by far the highest opening partnership when it comes to the history of the world cup. Dilshan played an outstanding innings of 144 runs whereas Tharanga also chipped in with a crucial 133 runs.

231*-Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga vs Eng in 2011

Like so often in that tournament, the opening duo of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga chipped in yet again but this time it was the Quarter Final of the tournament. Both the batter combined together to chase down the target of 230 runs. Dilshan scored 108 runs in the process while Tharanga chipped in with 102 runs.

194-Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti vs NZ in 1999

In all important finals of the 1999 edition of the World Cup, the Pakistan duo of Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti went onto register the highest first wicket partnership for Pakistan in their history of the World Cup which eventually led them into the finals. Anwar scored a brilliant 113 while his partner in crime Wajahatullah Wasti scored 84 runs.