Looking at the T20I Batting Rankings, past performance and recent form, we rank the T20 World Cup opening partnerships.
- Advertisement -
1. Pakistan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have scored more runs together in T20Is than any other opening pair, and are in tremendous form following their recent displays against England at home and in the Asia Cup.
They are the most dangerous pair in the T20 format currently and would want to replicate the same form in the upcoming world cup.
- Advertisement -
2. India
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have been among the most destructive opening pairs for over five years and will be among the key players in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Rahul was India’s leading scorer in the last World Cup and Rohit also can be expected of scoring heavily at the biggest events and would want to lead from the front as skipper. [Sportz18.com]
3. Australia
Skipper Aaron Finch batted at four in the recent T20I against the West Indies but should start the tournament at the top of the order alongside usual partner David Warner.
Both Warner and Finch have been in reasonable T20I form but all-rounder Cameron Green could still be preferred over Finch as the opener.
4. New Zealand
Martin Guptill has been part of many brilliant partners over the years and seems to build another with Devon Conway.
Conway moved to the top of the order for the recent series against the West Indies and took the team off to some brilliant starts in all three T20Is.
While young gun Finn Allen is another opening option, expect the experienced pair to be given first opportunity to lead New Zealand to an elusive Men’s white-ball trophy.
5. England
Jos Buttler sat out the recent T20I series against Pakistan due to an injury but will return to open the batting for England alongside Alex Hales or Phil Salt.
Buttler can punish loose bowling from the get-go but will need to quickly find his best form after not playing for a while, Hales will be expected to open over Phil Salt as he has displayed some good form in the T20I series against Australia.