Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL history highlight some of the most dominant starts produced by opening batters in Pakistan Super League cricket. A strong opening stand can provide the foundation for a huge total by allowing both batters to settle early, attack the powerplay and build momentum before the middle-order arrives. In a T20 competition like the PSL, where every over can change the direction of a match, an outstanding opening partnership can be the difference between an average total and a match-winning score.
The PSL has witnessed several remarkable opening combinations over the years. The supplied data shows that Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam hold the record for the highest opening partnership, putting together 176 runs for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United in 2021. This list covers the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL, arranged from 10th to 1st based on the partnership figures provided.
10. Shan Masood – Mohammad Rizwan | 150 Runs
Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan occupy the 10th position with a 150-run opening partnership for Multan Sultans against Lahore Qalandars in Karachi during the 2022 season. The pair provided their team with an excellent foundation and demonstrated how two technically sound batters could complement each other in the shortest format. Their 150-run stand gave Multan Sultans a powerful platform and earned them a place among the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shan Masood – Mohammad Rizwan | 150 | Multan Sultans | Lahore Qalandars | 2022 |
9. Sharjeel Khan – Babar Azam | 151* Runs
Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam appear again at number nine, this time with an unbeaten 151-run opening partnership for Karachi Kings against Lahore Qalandars in Karachi during the 2020 season. The two batters combined aggressive stroke-making with controlled accumulation, allowing Karachi to maintain pressure from the beginning. Their unbeaten stand of 151 is another outstanding entry among the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjeel Khan – Babar Azam | 151* | Karachi Kings | Lahore Qalandars | 2020 |
8. Sahibzada Farhan – Alex Hales | 153 Runs
Sahibzada Farhan and Alex Hales produced a 153-run opening partnership for Islamabad United against Karachi Kings in Rawalpindi during the 2025 season. The pair combined attacking intent with consistency to give Islamabad United a superb start. Their ability to maintain a high scoring rate while batting together made this partnership one of the most impressive Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan – Alex Hales | 153 | Islamabad United | Karachi Kings | 2025 |
7. Shane Watson – Sharjeel Khan | 153 Runs
Shane Watson and Sharjeel Khan recorded a 153-run opening stand for Islamabad United against Lahore Qalandars in Sharjah during the 2016 PSL season. Both batters were known for their aggressive approach, making them particularly dangerous when they found rhythm during the powerplay. Their 153-run partnership gave Islamabad United a commanding platform and placed them among the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Watson – Sharjeel Khan | 153 | Islamabad United | Lahore Qalandars | 2016 |
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6. Ahsan Ali – Will Smeed | 155 Runs
Ahsan Ali and Will Smeed occupy sixth place after putting together a 155-run opening partnership for Quetta Gladiators against Peshawar Zalmi in Karachi during the 2022 season. The pair provided Quetta with a remarkable start and kept the opposition bowlers under pressure throughout their partnership. Their 155-run stand remains one of the significant Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahsan Ali – Will Smeed | 155 | Quetta Gladiators | Peshawar Zalmi | 2022 |
5. Saud Shakeel – Jason Roy | 157 Runs
Saud Shakeel and Jason Roy recorded a 157-run opening partnership for Quetta Gladiators against Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore during the 2024 season. Their combination brought together different batting styles, with the pair successfully maintaining a strong scoring tempo. The partnership placed Quetta in an excellent position and ranks among the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL .
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saud Shakeel – Jason Roy | 157 | Quetta Gladiators | Peshawar Zalmi | 2024 |
4. Usman Khan – Mohammad Rizwan | 157 Runs
Usman Khan and Mohammad Rizwan also registered a 157-run opening partnership for Multan Sultans against Quetta Gladiators in Rawalpindi during the 2023 season. Their stand demonstrated the importance of a stable opening combination in T20 cricket. Both batters contributed to an exceptional start, helping Multan build momentum from the beginning of the innings. Their performance places them alongside the other great partnerships in the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL rankings.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usman Khan – Mohammad Rizwan | 157 | Multan Sultans | Quetta Gladiators | 2023 |
3. Liam Livingstone – Babar Azam | 157 Runs
Liam Livingstone and Babar Azam occupy third position with a 157-run opening partnership for Karachi Kings against Multan Sultans in Dubai during the 2019 season. The combination of Babar’s timing and Livingstone’s power gave Karachi a Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL. Their partnership demonstrated how complementary batting styles can create huge scoring opportunities in T20 cricket.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Livingstone – Babar Azam | 157 | Karachi Kings | Multan Sultans | 2019 |
2. Saim Ayub – Babar Azam | 162 Runs
Saim Ayub and Babar Azam produced the second-highest opening partnership in the supplied PSL data, scoring 162 runs for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators in Rawalpindi during the 2023 season. The partnership combined youthful aggression with Babar’s experience and consistency. Their 162-run stand put Peshawar in a commanding position and came within touching distance of the PSL opening partnership record.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub – Babar Azam | 162 | Peshawar Zalmi | Quetta Gladiators | 2023 |
1. Sharjeel Khan – Babar Azam | 176 Runs
Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam hold the number-one position among the Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL, producing a massive 176-run stand for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United in Karachi during the 2021 season. Their partnership remains the highest opening stand in the supplied PSL data. Both batters combined power and timing to dismantle the bowling attack and establish an exceptional platform for Karachi Kings. Islamabad United successfully chased the target with five balls remaining, making the encounter a memorable example of how even a record-breaking opening stand does not always guarantee victory in T20 cricket.
| Pair | Runs | Team | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharjeel Khan – Babar Azam | 176 | Karachi Kings | Islamabad United | 2021 |
The Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL demonstrate how important the first six overs can be in T20 cricket. Opening batters face the new ball and generally have the opportunity to exploit fielding restrictions during the powerplay. If they survive the early movement and establish a rhythm, they can significantly increase the scoring rate.
The Highest Opening Partnerships in PSL showcase some of the competition’s most explosive batting performances. Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam lead the ranking with their remarkable 176-run partnership for Karachi Kings in 2021. Saim Ayub and Babar Azam follow with 162 runs, while three different partnerships are tied at 157 runs.
FAQs
What is the highest opening partnership in PSL history?
According to the supplied data, Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam hold the record with a 176-run opening partnership for Karachi Kings against Islamabad United in 2021.
Who has the second-highest opening partnership in PSL?
Saim Ayub and Babar Azam are second with a 162-run partnership for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators in 2023.
Which pair has recorded multiple entries in the list?
Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam appear twice, with partnerships of 176 runs and 151 runs*.
Which teams have produced the most partnerships in this top 10?
The supplied list includes partnerships involving Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans, Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United.
Has an opening partnership above 150 runs guaranteed a win?
No. Sharjeel Khan and Babar Azam’s record 176-run partnership in 2021 is specifically noted as coming in a match that Karachi Kings eventually lost to Islamabad United.