Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam created a record in the second T20I of the ongoing seven-match series against England. The duo added an unbeaten 203 for the opening wicket to take the team to victory in the final over of the innings. This also turned out to be the fifth highest opening partnership ever in T20 Internationals as they went past Scotland's George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer who had added 200 runs for 1st wicket.
Babar Azam smashed his second ton in the shortest format and returned to form in style after an indifferent Asia Cup. This knock is also his stern response to critics who were slamming him for his poor strike-rate as well. Babar remained unbeaten on 110 off 66 deliveries with 11 fours and five sixes to his name.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan continued his dream run of form in T20 cricket smashing his third consecutive fifty. He stayed not out on 88 off 51 balls with five fours and four sixes.
Zazai and Ghani own the opening partnership record
As far as the record of the highest opening partnership is concerned, Afghanistan's Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani are the top of the list. They had added 236 against Ireland in February 2019. At the second spot are Aaron Finch and D'Arcy Short who scored 223 runs for the opening wicket against Zimbabwe in Harare in July 2018.
Marsa then witnessed two highest opening partnerships from the players of Czech Republic and Gibraltor on consecutive days, May 12 and 13 earlier this year respectively. Sabawooz Davizi and Dylan Steyn added 220 runs in just 18 overs while Gibraltor's openers Balaji Pai and Louis Bruce batted for entire 20 overs the very next day to score an unbeaten 213 runs. Both records were created against Bulgaria. Rizwan and Babar Azam came close to their record to gun down the total of 200 runs in Karachi on September 22.
Highest Opening Partnerships in T20I Cricket:
| Partners | Runs | Opposition | Match Date |
| Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani | 236 | Ireland | 23 February 2019 |
| Aaron Finch and D'Arcy Short | 223 | Zimbabwe | 3 July 2018 |
| Sabawoon Davizi and Dylan Steyn | 220 | Bulgaria | 12 May 2022 |
| Balaji Pai and Louis Bruce | 213* | Bulgaria | 13 May 2022 |
| Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan | 203* | England | 22 September 2022 |
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