Highest opening partnerships in ODIs

#1 Fakhar Zaman & Imam-ul-Haq: 304 vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo

Record holders!

Pakistan have never been renowned for their batsmen, especially in one-day cricket where they have often been labeled as lagging behind the dynamics of the age's game in terms of collective performance. Shahid Afridi tried to change the perception, but the pressure of expectations and his own flamboyance got the better of him, and eventually, the mantle was handed to Fakhar Zaman.

In the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe on their 2018 tour, he slayed all critics of Pakistani batting, in his partnership with newly inducted opener Imam-ul-Haq. While they began cautiously, mixing settling defensive cricket with percentage stroke play to maintain a healthy run rate.

As the innings progressed, Zaman abandoned all thoughts of risk and donned the long handle, he was soon joined by Imam in the proceedings as the Zimbabwean bowlers were made to look clueless. They gauged the slowness in the pitch well enough and played more square of the wicket rather than the V, except for the occasions they decided to take the aerial route.

The partnership was almost chanceless until Imam holed out to be dismissed for 113(122), but the damage had been done and the two had a slice of history to themselves by becoming the first opening pair to breach the 300 run mark.

Oh, and Zaman went on to register a dainty little double century, 210(156), for himself.