Fans prefer T20 cricket because it offers more thrills, excitement, and unexpected events. Everyone enjoys seeing batsmen hit boundaries. With a bat in their hands, even specialist bowlers can smash the ball hard. It’s exciting to witness a number 8 or 9 batsmen hit a boundary since their runs are critical to the team’s success.
And a lower-ranked partnership can change the entire match scenario. Every bowler wants to help the team with their bat as well. However, there aren’t many examples of an eighth-wicket partnership besting 50 runs. It happened twice during the World Cup. So, in this article, we’ll look at the top ten highest 8th-wicket partnerships in T20 World Cup competition history.
1. Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson (53*) vs. Pakistan in the 2010 T20 World Cup
Australia and Pakistan reached the 2010 World Cup’s second semi-final. Michael Hussey’s vicious hitting will be remembered from this match. Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Pakistani opener got them off to a good start, and with Umar Akmal’s unbeaten half-century (56*), the Men in Green posted a bid total of 191/6. In a journey to the target, the Australians slipped in the middle and continued to lose wickets.
They lost seven wickets for 144 runs and needed 46 runs in 17 balls to win. Michael Hussey, on the other hand, had a destructive inning and held the majority of the strike. Johnson, on the other hand, only contributed three balls to the partnership. Both batters contributed an incredible 53 runs off only 16 balls to help their team complete the greatest World Cup chase in history. Hussey hit 60* off 24 balls, including three fours and six sixes. He hit Saeed Ajmal for three sixes and one four as he needed 18 off the last ball.
2. Samit Patel and Graeme Swann (51) in the T20 World Cup 2012 against Sri Lanka
The 22nd game of the 2012 T20 World Cup was played between Sri Lanka and England. England won the toss and elected to bowl first. Sri Lanka made a strong start to their innings, and some of the other batters were also given a chance. In the end, they scored 169/6 in their 20 overs. In quest of the target, the English team got off to a bad start, with no runs scored from the top or middle order.
Only Samit Patel stood alone as the only savior. No. 8 Graeme Swann, on the other hand, backed him up. Both batters then combined for 51 runs for the eighth wicket, trying to bring England into the chase. However, Lasith Malinga’s outstanding bowling prevented them from winning. England did fall 19 runs short of the target. For his 5/31, Malinga was named “Man of the Match.”
3. Umar Akmal and Umar Gul (49) vs. South Africa in the 2012 T20I World Cup
The third-highest partnership took place in the 15th World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa in 2012. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they did not receive the start they wanted. The batting lineup was completely inept against Pakistani bowlers. JP Duminy was the real hero, scoring the most runs (48) to help his team post a below-par 133/6.
Pakistan had the same problem when chasing the target, losing seven wickets early for just 76 runs. That game appeared to be won by South Africa. The match-winning partnership for the eighth wicket came from Umar Akmal and Umar Gul. Both players contributed 49 runs to help Pakistan reach the target. But besides Gul’s dismissal, they won the match by two wickets with two balls to replace.
ICC T20 World Cup’s Highest 8th Wicket Partnership List
| Batters | Partnership | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson (Australia) | 53* | Pakistan | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| Samit Patel and G Swann (England) | 51 | Sri Lanka | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Umar Akmal and Umar Gul (Pakistan) | 49 | South Africa | Colombo | 2012 |
| Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma (India) | 47 | Australia | Bridgetown | 2010 |
| J Mubrarak and Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) | 40 | Australia | Cape Town | 2007 |
| T Dilshan and Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) | 35 | Pakistan | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Nathan McCullum and Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) | 34* | South Africa | Bridgetown | 2010 |
| Misbah-Ul-Haq and Sohail Tanvir (Pakistan) | 34 | India | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim and Naeem Islam (Bangladesh) | 33 | India | Nottingham | 2009 |
| N Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) | 27 | West Indies | Colombo | 2012 |
FAQS
Which is the highest 8th wicket partnership in T20 International?
The highest 8th wicket partnership in T20 International history is 80 runs, which was achieved by Scotland batters Preston Mommsen and Safyaan Sharif against the Netherlands on 11 July 2015 in Edinburgh.
What is India’s highest t20 score?
In 2017, India scored its highest total of 260 runs against Sri Lanka.
Who was the first T20 century player?
Chris Gayle of the West Indies scored the first T20I century against South Africa at the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007.
Who has won the most Twenty20 matches?
Pakistan cricket team holds the record for most T20 international victories with 118. Pakistan has played 189 matches, the most of any international team in T20 cricket.
Who is the fastest T20 fifty?
Yuvraj Singh of India holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket, which he achieved in an international match against England in 2007.