5 T20I records that were broken in 2016

Highest partnership in T20Is

Guptill and Williamson ensured the loss of McCullum wasn’t felt as much

Although scoring rates have gone through the roof ever since T20s came into existence, building a partnership is still a key facet of the game, even amidst the blink and you might miss action of T20s. So it is no surprise to see that despite scores being massive, there have only been seven 150 plus partnerships in T20Is.

While that number itself seems massive considering there is just a total of 120 balls to play with, it isn’t surprising given the pace at which most players score these days. Two of the top five highest partnerships in the history of T20Is came in 2016, including the all-time highest partnership.

Chasing 169 for victory against Pakistan in the second T20I at Hamilton, the new-look opening partnership of Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill not only got their side over the line but also put on 171 runs for the opening wicket beating the previous record of 170 held by Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith against England in 2009.

Both players got to their fifties and ended with a strike rate of 150 as the Kiwis got home with 14 balls to spare and a world record to their name while also making lightwork of what seemed like a stiff target.