Highest Partnerships in Test: Test cricket is often considered the pinnacle of the sport, testing a team’s resilience, patience, and strategy over extended periods. For Bangladesh, a nation that has seen significant growth in international cricket over the past two decades, partnerships in Test cricket have been a vital aspect of their success on the field. Whether it’s a match-winning stand or a gritty effort to save a game, strong partnerships have played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s Test cricket history.
In this article, we delve into the highest partnerships in Test cricket for Bangladesh, highlighting the significant contributions that have shaped their memorable Test matches.
Understanding the Importance of Partnerships in Test Cricket
In the longer format of the game, partnerships often determine the fate of a Test match. Opening partnerships give the team a solid start, middle-order partnerships stabilize innings, and lower-order partnerships can sometimes save the team from a collapse or even lead to a monumental chase. The higher the partnership, the more the team is likely to set a strong total or fight for a draw in difficult situations.
For Bangladesh, partnerships have played a central role in their landmark Test matches. Some of the most memorable performances have come from partnerships between senior players, emerging talents, and in-form batsmen who have contributed to some of Bangladesh’s most significant Test wins and draws.
Highest Partnerships in Bangladesh Test Cricket History
Here is a comprehensive list of the highest partnerships in Test cricket for Bangladesh, showcasing the key stands that have played a vital role in the team’s successes.
| Rank | Partnership (Batsmen) | Runs Scored | Opposition | Year | Match Location | Key Moment/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shakib Al Hasan & Mahmudullah | 224* | Zimbabwe | 2018 | Mirpur, Dhaka | The highest partnership for Bangladesh, leading to a massive total in a match-winning effort. |
| 2 | Tamim Iqbal & Imrul Kayes | 151 | Sri Lanka | 2013 | Galle, Sri Lanka | Key partnership in Bangladesh’s historic Test win in Sri Lanka. |
| 3 | Mushfiqur Rahim & Shakib Al Hasan | 267 | New Zealand | 2017 | Christchurch, New Zealand | A record-breaking partnership that helped Bangladesh to a remarkable total in New Zealand. |
| 4 | Tamim Iqbal & Mominul Haque | 178 | Sri Lanka | 2014 | Chittagong, Bangladesh | A crucial partnership against Sri Lanka, contributing to a competitive total. |
| 5 | Mushfiqur Rahim & Mohammad Ashraful | 130 | West Indies | 2009 | Kingston, Jamaica | A crucial middle-order partnership in Bangladesh’s early Test days. |
| 6 | Shakib Al Hasan & Mohammad Mithun | 155 | West Indies | 2018 | Mirpur, Dhaka | This partnership helped Bangladesh fight back against the West Indies after early wickets. |
| 7 | Imrul Kayes & Mahmudullah | 147 | Zimbabwe | 2013 | Harare, Zimbabwe | An essential middle-order stand that contributed to a solid total in Zimbabwe. |
| 8 | Tamim Iqbal & Shakib Al Hasan | 139 | West Indies | 2018 | Mirpur, Dhaka | A vital partnership that contributed to Bangladesh’s dominance in the series. |
| 9 | Mushfiqur Rahim & Liton Das | 148 | West Indies | 2021 | Chittagong, Bangladesh | A strong partnership that allowed Bangladesh to post a competitive total. |
| 10 | Mushfiqur Rahim & Shakib Al Hasan | 115 | Australia | 2017 | Mirpur, Dhaka | A solid partnership in difficult conditions against Australia. |
Detailed Analysis of the Top 3 Highest Partnerships
1. Shakib Al Hasan & Mahmudullah (224 runs vs Zimbabwe, 2018)*
- Partnership Overview: The highest partnership in Bangladesh’s Test cricket history came in 2018 during the Test match against Zimbabwe. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah created history by putting together an unbeaten stand of 224 runs for the fifth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a commanding position.
- Key Contributions:
- Shakib Al Hasan (127* runs from 157 balls) was the star of the partnership, playing a calm and calculated knock with aggressive boundaries.
- Mahmudullah (100* runs from 138 balls) contributed a well-crafted century, anchoring the innings while Shakib took control.
- Impact: This partnership not only provided stability but also allowed Bangladesh to declare at 500/5, eventually leading to an innings victory. It is the highest partnership ever for Bangladesh in Test cricket and is regarded as one of the best contributions by Bangladeshi cricketers in the longest format.
2. Tamim Iqbal & Imrul Kayes (151 runs vs Sri Lanka, 2013)
- Partnership Overview: In the 2013 Test series in Sri Lanka, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes formed a crucial 151-run opening partnership that helped Bangladesh secure their first-ever Test victory in Sri Lanka.
- Key Contributions:
- Tamim Iqbal (87 runs from 145 balls) played an attacking role, setting the tone for the innings with his trademark aggressive shots.
- Imrul Kayes (64 runs from 103 balls) played the role of a steady partner, keeping the runs ticking along while Tamim accelerated the scoring.
- Impact: This partnership was instrumental in setting a solid platform for Bangladesh’s total, which helped them win the Test match, a landmark victory in their cricketing history.
3. Mushfiqur Rahim & Shakib Al Hasan (267 runs vs New Zealand, 2017)
- Partnership Overview: In 2017, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan set a remarkable record for the third wicket against New Zealand in Christchurch. Their partnership of 267 runs was a major highlight of the match.
- Key Contributions:
- Mushfiqur Rahim (159 runs from 289 balls) played a masterful innings, scoring his first Test century in New Zealand and guiding the team to a competitive total.
- Shakib Al Hasan (117 runs from 189 balls) was equally impressive, anchoring the innings and building partnerships with other batsmen.
- Impact: This partnership not only helped Bangladesh post a challenging total in New Zealand but also played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s historic win in the country. It was a testament to the growing strength of Bangladesh’s Test cricket team on foreign soil.
Notable Partnerships for Bangladesh in Challenging Conditions
Bangladesh has faced some tough challenges in Test cricket, especially in countries like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. However, despite these challenges, several partnerships have helped the team post competitive totals or fight for draws:
- Mushfiqur Rahim & Shakib Al Hasan (115 runs against Australia, 2017): In challenging conditions, this partnership helped Bangladesh hold their ground against one of the strongest Test teams.
- Tamim Iqbal & Shakib Al Hasan (139 runs against West Indies, 2018): A key partnership that ensured Bangladesh posted a competitive total in the home series.
Top Players Contributing to Bangladesh’s Highest Partnerships
Several Bangladeshi cricketers have been instrumental in building some of the highest partnerships in Test history. Their consistency and ability to form partnerships have played a vital role in the team’s success.
| Player Name | Total Partnerships Over 100 Runs (Test) | Key Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Shakib Al Hasan | 8 | Bangladesh |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | 7 | Bangladesh |
| Tamim Iqbal | 5 | Bangladesh |
| Imrul Kayes | 4 | Bangladesh |
| Mahmudullah | 3 | Bangladesh |
| Mominul Haque | 3 | Bangladesh |
Conclusion: The Role of Partnerships in Bangladesh’s Test Success
Partnerships in Test cricket are invaluable, and Bangladesh has witnessed several outstanding partnerships over the years. The highest partnerships — such as the remarkable 224* between Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah in 2018 — highlight the growing maturity and strength of the team in the longest format of the game.
As Bangladesh continues to develop its Test cricketing culture, it is likely that more records will be broken, and more partnerships will define the team’s future successes. The ability to form strong partnerships is essential for any team that aspires to compete with the best in the world, and Bangladesh’s batsmen have shown they are capable of rising to the occasion in challenging conditions.
The future of Bangladesh’s Test cricket looks promising, and partnerships will continue to play a key role in their journey toward more international success.