4 Highest partnerships in ODI by the Associate batsman against the Test nation

Associates have always been an integral part of world cricket and as Hong Kong displayed an impeccable performance the other night in their match against India, the Associates can put up a strong fight against the best teams in the world in the limited overs format. The decision of ICC to limit the number of teams to 10 in the World Cup next year now appears debatable.

While many claim that most matches between Associates and Test playing nations turn out to be one-sided affairs, there are many instances where they've been proved wrong. Let's have a look at the top four highest partnerships the Associate batsmen have had against the test nations.

---

#4 Kevin O'Brien -Alex Cusack (IRE) 162 runs Vs England in 2011 WC

The match was played at Bengaluru during the 2011 World Cup where Ireland (then Associate nation) took against England in the group stage. Chasing a stiff target of 328, Ireland were reduced to 111/5. Kevin O'Brien along with Alex Cusack resurrected the Irish innings by building a 162-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

The partnership was highly dominated by O'Brien as he made 96 out of the 162 runs whereas Cusack contributed with 47 runs. Pulling off an unlikely victory from an almost impossible situation, O'Brien also recorded the fastest hundred ever in World cup history achieving the feat in just 50 deliveries. He ended up scoring 123 off 63, hitting 13 boundaries and 6 sixes and was adjudged the Man of the Match.

#3 Asghar Afghan - Samiullah Shenwari (AFG) 164 runs Vs Bangladesh in 2014 Asia cup

Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari put on a brilliant 164-run partnership

It was the fifth match of Asia cup 2014 played at Fatullah where both Bangladesh and Afghanistan (then Associate nation) were playing their second match of the tournament after defeat in each of their first match.

Bangladesh was pretty much happy with the decision to field after winning the toss as they reduced Afghanistan to 90/5. But then the arrival of Samiullah Shenwari changed things completely. He scored a brilliant 81 off just 64 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and a six and shared 164 runs partnership with Asghar Afghan who made an unbeaten 90 off 103 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes.

On the back of that stunning partnership, Afghanistan posted a respectable target of 255 in front of the hosts. Bangladesh never looked comfortable during the chase and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Afghanistan registered the first-ever victory over a test playing nation by 32 runs. Shenwari was presented with the Man of the Match for his contribution with both bat and ball.

#2 Anshuman Rath- Nizakat Khan (HKG) 174 runs Vs India in 2018 Asia cup

Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan shared highest ever partnership for Hong Kong in ODIs

The match which was supposed to be a warm-up match for Indians ahead of the high voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan almost turned out to be an upset. Eyebrows were raised when Hong Kong decided to bowl first after winning the toss but the decision was spot on as they managed to restrict India to just 285.

Despite laying the foundation with an opening partnership of 174, Hong Kong couldn't pull off a victory and ultimately lost by 26 runs. The inexperience of Hong Kong in the highest stage of ODI could be clearly spotted, as 142 runs in 20 overs with 10 wickets in hand would have been a walk in the park for an experienced team. Rath scored 73 off 97 deliveries with 4 fours and a six whereas Nizakat's 92 runs came off 115 balls with 18 boundaries and a six.

#1 Geoff Barnett- Ian Billcliff (CAN) 177 runs Vs Ban 2007 during Associate tri-series

The match was played at St John's stadium in West Indies as a part of Associate tri-series where three teams Bangladesh, Bermuda and Canada involved ahead for 2007 world cup.

Bangladesh posted a target of 279 after Shakib Al Hasan registered his highest ever ODI score. In reply, Canada had the worst possible start when Abdool Samad returned back to the pavilion after he was retired hurt and soon Ashish Bagai departed for a golden duck.

But a breathtaking 177 runs stand between Geoff Barnett and Ian Billcliff transformed the game in Canada’s favour. Unfortunately, they slumped from 178/1 to 195/4 losing both the set batsman and eventually lost the most by 13 runs. Barnett ended with 77 off 123 deliveries, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes and Billcliff too hit 6 fours and 2 sixes during his 114 balls 93.

#2 Anshuman Rath- Nizakat Khan (HKG) 174 runs Vs India in 2018 Asia cup

Anshuman Rath and Nizakat Khan shared highest ever partnership for Hong Kong in ODIs

The match which was supposed to be a warm-up match for Indians ahead of the high voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan almost turned out to be an upset. Eyebrows were raised when Hong Kong decided to bowl first after winning the toss but the decision was spot on as they managed to restrict India to just 285.

Despite laying the foundation with an opening partnership of 174, Hong Kong couldn't pull off a victory and ultimately lost by 26 runs. The inexperience of Hong Kong in the highest stage of ODI could be clearly spotted, as 142 runs in 20 overs with 10 wickets in hand would have been a walk in the park for an experienced team. Rath scored 73 off 97 deliveries with 4 fours and a six whereas Nizakat's 92 runs came off 115 balls with 18 boundaries and a six.

#1 Geoff Barnett- Ian Billcliff (CAN) 177 runs Vs Ban 2007 during Associate tri-series

Enter caption

The match was played at St John's stadium in West Indies as a part of Associate tri-series where three teams Bangladesh, Bermuda and Canada involved ahead for 2007 world cup.

Bangladesh posted a target of 279 after Shakib Al Hasan registered his highest ever ODI score. In reply, Canada had the worst possible start when Abdool Samad returned back to the pavilion after he was retired hurt and soon Ashish Bagai departed for a golden duck.

But a breathtaking 177 runs stand between Geoff Barnett and Ian Billcliff transformed the game in Canada’s favour. Unfortunately, they slumped from 178/1 to 195/4 losing both the set batsman and eventually lost the most by 13 runs. Barnett ended with 77 off 123 deliveries, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes and Billcliff too hit 6 fours and 2 sixes during his 114 balls 93.