Partnerships are an important aspect of cricket. Be it the opening stand that provides the base for other batters or the end knock by the finishers that defines the ultimate outcome of the match, it is the batters’ determination and calmness which defines their success. A good partnership can single-handedly determine the course of the match. Zimbabwe is a growing nation in terms of cricket. The team possesses the capability to surprise big teams every now and then. In this article, we will take a look at the biggest partnerships for Zimbabwe in ODI cricket. So, let’s dive into it.
1. Sikandar Raza And Hamilton Masakadza Vs. Afghanistan
We begin this list with the 224-run stand between Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza. The opening partnership came during the second ODI of Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2014. The duo helped their team successfully chase down Afghanistan’s total of 256 runs in only 43.3 overs, winning the game by eight wickets.
2. Sean Ervine And Stuart Carlisle Vs. India
On number two, we have Sean Ervine and Stuart Carlisle with their fourth-wicket partnership of 202 runs. In the eighth match of the VB Series of 2004, the duo put up this score while chasing India’s total of 280 runs. However, Zimbabwe failed to provide the finishing touch and lost the match by three runs.
3. Sikandar Raza And Regis Chakabva Vs. Bangladesh
Next up on the list is Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva’s fifth wicket partnership scored during the second ODI of Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2022. The 201-run stand between these two centurions allowed Zimbabwe to chase down Bangladesh’s score of 290 runs with 15 balls still remaining.
4. Sikandar Raza And Innocent Kaia Vs. Bangladesh
On the fourth spot, we have another stand from the 2022 Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe. In this match, Sikandar Raza and Innocent Kaia stitched a partnership of 192 runs for the fourth wicket. With the help of this partnership, Zimbabwe won the match by five wickets as they chased down Bangladesh’s 303 runs.
5. Tatenda Taibu And Stuart Matsikenyeri Vs. South Africa
With their partnership of 188 runs, Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyeri stand in the fifth position on this list. While chasing South Africa’s total of 295 runs in the first ODI of Zimbabwe’s tour of South Africa in 2009, the duo brought their team close to the target. However, they had to face a defeat by 45 runs.
6. Grant Flower And Stuart Carlisle Vs. Australia
Making it to the sixth place on this list is Grant Flower and Stuart Carlisle, with their stand of 187 runs. The fourth wicket partnership came against Australia during the Carlton Series of 2001. In this thrilling match, Australia defeated Zimbabwe by only one run.
7. Murray Goodwin And Grant Flower Vs. West Indies
On number seven, we have Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower’s unbeaten knock of 186 runs against West Indies in the NatWest Series of 2007. The fifth wicket partnership guided Zimbabwe to a close victory as they successfully chased down the total of 287 runs with only five balls remaining.
8. Tatenda Taibu And Craig Ervine Vs. Canada
With a 181-run partnership against Canada in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine stand in the eighth position on this list. The duo helped their team to put up a total of 298 runs on board. This was followed by a brilliant bowling performance which restricted Canada to only 123 runs.
9. Vusi Sibanda And Hamilton Masakadza Vs. West Indies
On the ninth spot, we have Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza with their opening partnership of 167 runs. In the fourth ODI match of the West Indies tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2007, the duo helped their team in putting up a score of 232 runs. However, this score was chased by the West Indians in 47 overs.
10. Craig Wishart And Grant Flower Vs. Namibia
The final knock to make it to this list is Craig Wishart and Grant Flower’s unbeaten stand of 166-run stand against Namibia. In the rain-affected match of the 2003 ICC World Cup, the third-wicket partnership helped Zimbabwe post a total of 340 runs. In reply, Namibia scored only 104 runs and lost by 86 runs (D/L Method).
