Top 3 highest partnerships in Champions Trophy history

The inaugural clash of the defending champions Pakistan against New Zealand will mark the start of the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament will kick off on February 19, with the tournament opener at the National Stadium in Karachi. It will be co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. 

Notably, the history of the ICC Knockout or the ICC Champions Trophy is filled with some historic performances, be it individual performances or partnerships. It includes the batting greats from all the top cricket-playing teams. 

So, here we’ll look at the highest partnerships in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy since the tournament’s inception in 1998. 

Top 3 highest partnerships:

Shane Watson-Ricky Ponting (252* Runs) against England – 2009 

Australia and England were taking on each other in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Andrew Strauss-led England were bundled out at the score of 257 runs in 47.4 and gave a target of 258 to chase down Australia.

While chasing the target, the Aussie top order completely outplayed the English bowling attack. The then-defending champions lost only a wicket at the score of 6 runs in the second over. But then came the historic and unbeaten partnership of 252 runs between opener Shane Watson and former skipper Ricky Ponting for the second wicket. The duo helped Australia in successfully chasing down the target in just 41.5 overs, scoring 258 runs for the loss of just 1 wicket and winning the game by 9 wickets. Watson scored unbeaten 136 runs while Ponting aggregated unbeaten 111 runs. 

These knocks took Australia to the final of the tournament, which they eventually won to clinch the title for the second consecutive time.

Shakib Al Hasan-Mahmudullah (224 runs) against New Zealand – 2017 

Mashrafe Mortaza’s Bangladesh took on New Zealand in the ninth match of the Champions Trophy 2017 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The Blackcaps struggled a bit in the first innings and posted a total of 265 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. 

While chasing the target, Bangladesh were in trouble when they lost their 4 wickets at the score of just 33 runs in 11.4 overs. However, the middle-order batting pair of Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah had some other plans. Shakib and Mahmudullah stitched a sensational partnership of 224 runs, putting Bangladesh in a comfortable and winning position. Shakib scored 114 runs while Mahmudullah scored 102 runs and these centuries helped Bangladesh beat the Blackcaps by 5 wickets. 

Shoaib Malik-Mohammad Yousuf (206 runs) against India – 2009 

The arch-rivals India and Pakistan played each other in the sixth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on September 26, 2009. Pakistan skipper Younis Khan won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, the men in green had lost their top 3 wickets at the score of 65 runs. 

It was the time when the pair of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf started building a foundation of one of the historic partnerships in the tournament’s history. Malik-Yousuf duo stitched a match-winning partnership of 206 runs for the fourth wicket before Nehra dismissed Yousuf at the latter’s score of 87 runs. However, the damage had been done by that time. 

This amazing partnership between Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf helped Pakistan post a big total of 302 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Later in the second innings, the Pakistan bowlers bundled out the men in blue at the score of 248 runs in 44.5 overs and won the game by a decent margin of 54 runs. Shoaib Malik won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his amazing 128-run knock off 126 balls, with 16 fours. 

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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