T20 World Cup: The last T20I World Cup was a heartbreak for New Zealand. They are the only team to have appeared in the finals of all three recent ICC tournaments. They played the finals of the T20I World Cup against Australia in 2021, the ODI World Cup finals against England in 2019 and the WTC final against India in 2021.
However, they were unfortunate that they ended up on the other side of the white-ball competition. But they really showed that they have got the team to surprise and lift the trophy. In this article, we will discuss the highest partnership by New Zealand in the history of the T20 World Cup.
4. Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway (82 runs) against England in 2021 ICC event
The first semi-final of the 2021 World Cup saw England taking on New Zealand at Abu Dhabi. After winning the toss, the Black Caps opted to bowl first. England had an average start but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. In the end, the English team scored 166/4 in their 20 overs, with Moeen Ali top scoring with 51* off 37 balls.
Chasing the target, NZ lost their first two wickets for 13 runs, and it looked like England might swipe over. But then came the match-turning partnership of 82 runs for the third wicket between Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway. The partnership helped New Zealand beat the English team, and they advanced to the finals. Mitchell remained unbeaten on 72* off 47 and won the “Man of the Match” award.
3. James Franklin and Brendon McCullum (94 runs) against Bangladesh in 2012 ICC event
The Third highest partnership for New Zealand came in a match against Bangladesh in the 2012 World Cup at Pallekele. Notably, that match also saw the highest individual score in the history of the T20 World Cup. Batting first, New Zealand posted a big total of 191/3 in their 20 overs. Brendon McCullum smashed the highest score of 123 off 58 balls, including 11 fours and seven sixes.
He, along with James Franklin, added 95 runs for the second wicket and helped their team to reach a big score. Chasing the target, Bangladesh didn’t have a great start as they lost their first four wickets in just 6.4 overs. In the end, they only scored 132/8 and lost the match by 59 runs. McCullum won the MOM award for his century.
2. Martin Guptill and Glenn Phillips (105 runs) against Scotland in 2021 T20 World Cup
The 2nd highest partnership for New Zealand came in the last T20I World Cup. It was the 32nd match of the tournament between New Zealand and Scotland. After winning the toss, Scotland elected to bowl first. The Black Caps lost their first three wickets for 52 runs. But after that, opener Martin Guptill and Glenn Philips added 105 runs for the fourth wicket.
Guptill scored 93 off 56 runs and helped his team reach 172/5 runs in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Scotland also had a decent start with three or four batters scoring in the 20s. But they couldn’t carry on for long and lost the match by 16 runs. Guptill was named the “Man of the Match” award for his brilliant knock.
1. Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw (168 runs) against Bangladesh in 2022 T20 World Cup
168 runs between Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw is now the highest partnership in T20 World cup by NZ for any wicket. They have broken their previous record within one year.
List of Highest Partnership in T20 World Cup by New Zealand
| Players | Runs | Wkt | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw | 168 | 2nd | Bangladesh | Sydney | 2022 |
| Martin Guptill and Glenn Phillips | 105 | 4th | Scotland | Dubai | 2021 |
| James Franklin and Brendon McCullum | 94 | 2nd | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway | 82 | 3rd | England | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
| Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor | 78 | 3rd | Bangladesh | Pallekele | 2012 |
| Glenn Phillips and James Neesham | 76* | 5th | Namibia | Sharjah | 2021 |