Pakistan’s Highest T20I Partnerships Ft. Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan

Jatin

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam [Source: AFP Photos]Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam [Source: AFP Photos]

For years, Pakistan’s T20I story has really been about two men: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. They weren’t just openers, they were the heartbeat of the side.

Whenever Pakistan needed a solid start or a cool head in a chase, this pair stepped up. One would anchor, the other would accelerate and between them they made batting look ridiculously easy. But neither Babar nor Rizwan has been picked for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE.

Without the two players who defined Pakistan’s T20I blueprint, the team suddenly looks like it is walking a tightrope without a safety net. Because let’s be honest, nobody has owned the record books for Pakistan in this format like these two. Their partnerships didn’t just win games; they turned contests into one-sided shows.

So, with that in mind, let’s roll back the clock and revisit Pakistan’s top five highest partnerships in T20Is and yes, every single one has the Babar–Rizwan stamp all over it.

5. 150 vs England in Nottingham, 2021

July 16, 2021, at Trent Bridge, a night where Pakistan’s top order went berserk. The team piled up 232/6 with Babar cracking a quickfire 85 off 49 and Rizwan chipping in with a classy 63 off 41. Their opening stand of 150 runs knocked the stuffing out of England’s bowlers.

Even though Liam Livingstone launched a wild counter with a 103 off 43, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s all-round brilliance (3/30 and three catches) shut the door. Pakistan walked away with a 31-run win and the world got another reminder of how ruthless this pair could be.

4. 152* vs India in Dubai, 2021

This wasn’t just a partnership, it was a moment etched in history. October 24, 2021, under the floodlights of Dubai, Pakistan finally broke their World Cup curse against India. Chasing 152, Babar (68 off 52*) and Rizwan (79 off 55*) stayed unbeaten, guiding Pakistan to a 10-wicket win.

They wrapped it up with 13 balls to spare and the roar inside the stadium said it all. Shaheen Afridi’s 3/31 had set the tone but the Babar–Rizwan show turned it into an unforgettable night. For once, India had no answers.

3. 158 vs West Indies in Karachi, 2021

December 16, 2021, was pure entertainment. West Indies piled up 207/3 with Nicholas Pooran blasting 64 off 37. But Babar Azam (79 off 53) and Mohammad Rizwan (87 off 45) turned it into a cakewalk.

Their stand of 158 runs set Pakistan up for a successful chase, which they wrapped up in 18.5 overs with seven wickets still in hand. Rizwan walked away with Player of the Match and Player of the Series, sealing what was probably the most dominant year of his T20I career.

2. 197 vs South Africa in Centurion, 2021

April 14, 2021, at Centurion, the day Babar Azam played what many call his finest T20I innings. Chasing 204, he smashed a breathtaking 122 off 59 balls, his first T20I hundred while Rizwan anchored brilliantly with 73 off 47.

Together, they added 197 runs, at the time Pakistan’s highest-ever stand. The chase was done in 18 overs with 9 wickets in hand. Babar’s knock was the perfect mix of elegance and aggression, proving he could go ballistic when the occasion demanded.

1. 203* vs England in Karachi, 2022

At the top of this list sits the unforgettable night of September 22, 2022. England set Pakistan 200 to win but Babar and Rizwan made it look like child’s play. Babar stroked an unbeaten 110 off 66 while Rizwan smacked 88 off 51.

Their record-breaking 203-run unbeaten stand remains Pakistan’s highest partnership in T20Is and one of the most dominant chases ever seen in the format. The Karachi crowd was electric as they celebrated every boundary as if it was the winning shot. By the end, the whole city felt like it was part of a festival.