Asia Cup 2023 kicked off with a bang with hosts Pakistan hammering first-time participants Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played out an edge of thriller in the next with the hosts emerging victorious in the second match.&nbsp;

In the inaugural match, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and middle-order Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket and broke into record books. This went down as the third-most successful partnership in the history of the continental tournament.&nbsp;

Discussing more, here are the rankings of the five best partnerships in the history of the Asia Cup&nbsp;

5. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed (214 runs in Colombo) against Nepal in 2023

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693461082651_Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed.jpeg" alt="Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

As we discussed earlier, Pakistan vanquished Nepal in the inaugural game of the <strong>2023 Asia Cup</strong> and earned two points in Group A. The credit for this emphatic triumph should be given to Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed who formed an enormous 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket to shatter the confidence of the opponents.

Earlier in the contest, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. After the first half of their innings, the Men in Green were four down at a score of 124 in 27.5 overs. Things started changing after Iftikhar’s arrival. The right-handed batter opted to attack the bowlers and he succeeded in doing so comfortably.

He got the support of his skipper Babar, who held one end with his sensible batting. Babar concluded his innings after amassing 151 runs off 131 deliveries. Iftikhar notched up his maiden international ton and went back to the pavilion with his score of unbeaten 109 off just 71 balls. The Pakistan skipper won the Player of the Match award for his spunky knock.

4. Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina (198 runs in Karachi) against Pakistan in 2008

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563742856_Virender-Sehwag-and-Suresh-Raina.jpeg" alt="Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the 2008 Asia Cup, India concluded their campaign as runners-up after their humiliating 100-run loss against Sri Lanka in the final in Karachi. Throughout the competition, the Men in Blue played aggressive cricket under MS Dhoni’s captaincy and reached the final. &nbsp;

Dhoni and his men were placed in Pool B along with Pakistan and Hong Kong. They topped the group round beating both sides and qualified for the Super Four. In the match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi, India were tasked to chase a mammoth total of 300. While following the target, India lost Gautam Gambhir in the third over.

Following the left-handed opener’s wicket, Suresh Raina came to the crease and supported Virender Sehwag, who looked in great touch against the bowlers. Both Sehwag and Raina built an impressive 198-run partnership for the second wicket to help the team make a comeback in the contest. With this partnership, they wrote their name as 4th in Asia Cup's best partnerships list.&nbsp;

Raina got dismissed after amassing 84 off 69 and Sehwag chipped in with 119 off 95. <strong>India</strong> completed the chase in the 43rd over and Raina became the recipient of the Player of the Match award at the end of the game. &nbsp;

3. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir (205 runs in Mirpur) vs Sri Lanka in 2012

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563593476_Virat-Kohli-and-Gautam-Gambhir.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

In 2012, India went to the Asia Cup in Bangladesh as the defending champions. After the dismal Australia tour, the team was looking to play quality cricket and retain the coveted trophy. Dhoni and Co. began their campaign confidently with their convincing 50-run win against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in the second game of the tournament.&nbsp;

Winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene invited India to field first. The 1996 World Cup champions got an early breakthrough in the form of Sachin Tendulkar, who gave away his wicket to Suranga Lakmal in the sixth over of the game. After the Master Blaster’s scalp, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/virat-kohli-will-be-indias-key-player-along-with-rohit-sharma-for-asia-cup-and-odi-world-cup-sourav-ganguly/" title=" Virat Kohli " target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Virat Kohli </strong></a>went out and joined his senior colleague Gautam Gambhir.

Both batters took Sri Lanka’s bowling unit to the cleaners and helped India put up 304 runs on the board. They both went on to score centuries and also built an excellent partnership of 205 runs for the second wicket. Their aggressive batting emboldened the confidence of the whole side as Indian bowlers bundled out the opponents on 254 and played their part efficiently.&nbsp;

2. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (210 runs in Dubai) vs Pakistan in 2018

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687764712924_Rohit-Sharma-and-Shikhar-Dhawan.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: Gettyimages)</figcaption>

In the 2018 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan faced each other twice at the Dubai International Stadium. After hammering the Men in Green by eight wickets in the group round, Team India was looking to have a great time against the arch-rivals in the Super Four stage as well.

At the toss, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed emerged victorious and put his team to bat first. Indian bowlers looked disciplined in the big game and contained the two-time Asia Cup winners on an average total of 237. Following the target, openers <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/it-is-not-possible-to-have-55-average-and-a-110-strike-rate-rohit-sharma/" title="Rohit Sharma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohit Sharma</strong></a> and Shikhar Dhawan stepped up and utilised their experience to guide India to a comfortable nine-wicket win.&nbsp;

Confronting both India veterans, Pakistan bowlers looked completely ineffective. Both openers played some exquisite strokes and stitched a 210-run partnership, the third-highest partnership in Asia Cup history. Shikhar got run out at his individual score of 114 but Rohit went back to the pavilion unbeaten with 111 runs off 119. In the end, it was Shikhar, who got the Player of the Match for his stunning innings in the match.

1. Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (224 runs in Mirpur) vs India in 2012

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563428333_Nasir-Jamshed-and-Mohammad-Hafeez.jpeg" alt="Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan became the Asia Cup champions for the second time in 2012 after beating Bangladesh in the final by two runs in Mirpur. Throughout the competition, the Men in Green played a fierce brand of cricket under their captain Misbah-ul-Haq to clinch the distinguished trophy. Of their four games in the competition, Misbah and Co. won three and lost one which was against India in Mirpur.

Indian cricket team supporters remember that game for Virat Kohli’s unprecedented 183-run knock. Pakistan team fans recall the contest for the extraordinary partnership between Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed. In the marquee contest at the Shere Bangla Stadium, luck favoured Misbah as he won the toss against his counterpart <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a></strong> and chose to bat first.

Misbah’s decision worked as his openers Hafeez and Jamshed came heavily on Indian bowlers and built the record opening stand of 224 runs. Riding on remarkable batting displays of both openers, Pakistan posted 329 runs in their 50 overs. However, their efforts went in vain due to Kohli’s heroic ton. &nbsp;

<p>Asia Cup 2023 kicked off with a bang with hosts Pakistan hammering first-time participants Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played out an edge of thriller in the next with the hosts emerging victorious in the second match.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the inaugural match, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and middle-order Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket and broke into record books. This went down as the third-most successful partnership in the history of the continental tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here are the rankings of the five best partnerships in the history of the Asia Cup&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>5. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed (214 runs in Colombo) against Nepal in 2023</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693461082651_Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed.jpeg" alt="Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As we discussed earlier, Pakistan vanquished Nepal in the inaugural game of the <strong>2023 Asia Cup</strong> and earned two points in Group A. The credit for this emphatic triumph should be given to Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed who formed an enormous 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket to shatter the confidence of the opponents.</p>
<p>Earlier in the contest, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. After the first half of their innings, the Men in Green were four down at a score of 124 in 27.5 overs. Things started changing after Iftikhar’s arrival. The right-handed batter opted to attack the bowlers and he succeeded in doing so comfortably.</p>
<p>He got the support of his skipper Babar, who held one end with his sensible batting. Babar concluded his innings after amassing 151 runs off 131 deliveries. Iftikhar notched up his maiden international ton and went back to the pavilion with his score of unbeaten 109 off just 71 balls. The Pakistan skipper won the Player of the Match award for his spunky knock.</p>
<h5><em>Also see:<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/asia-cup/stats/batting-most-runs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Most Runs in Asia Cup 2023</a></em></h5>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina (198 runs in Karachi) against Pakistan in 2008</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563742856_Virender-Sehwag-and-Suresh-Raina.jpeg" alt="Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the 2008 Asia Cup, India concluded their campaign as runners-up after their humiliating 100-run loss against Sri Lanka in the final in Karachi. Throughout the competition, the Men in Blue played aggressive cricket under MS Dhoni’s captaincy and reached the final. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Dhoni and his men were placed in Pool B along with Pakistan and Hong Kong. They topped the group round beating both sides and qualified for the Super Four. In the match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi, India were tasked to chase a mammoth total of 300. While following the target, India lost Gautam Gambhir in the third over.</p>
<p>Following the left-handed opener’s wicket, Suresh Raina came to the crease and supported Virender Sehwag, who looked in great touch against the bowlers. Both Sehwag and Raina built an impressive 198-run partnership for the second wicket to help the team make a comeback in the contest. With this partnership, they wrote their name as 4th in Asia Cup's best partnerships list.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Raina got dismissed after amassing 84 off 69 and Sehwag chipped in with 119 off 95. <strong>India</strong> completed the chase in the 43rd over and Raina became the recipient of the Player of the Match award at the end of the game. &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir (205 runs in Mirpur) vs Sri Lanka in 2012</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563593476_Virat-Kohli-and-Gautam-Gambhir.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In 2012, India went to the Asia Cup in Bangladesh as the defending champions. After the dismal Australia tour, the team was looking to play quality cricket and retain the coveted trophy. Dhoni and Co. began their campaign confidently with their convincing 50-run win against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in the second game of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene invited India to field first. The 1996 World Cup champions got an early breakthrough in the form of Sachin Tendulkar, who gave away his wicket to Suranga Lakmal in the sixth over of the game. After the Master Blaster’s scalp, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/virat-kohli-will-be-indias-key-player-along-with-rohit-sharma-for-asia-cup-and-odi-world-cup-sourav-ganguly/" title=" Virat Kohli " target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Virat Kohli </strong></a>went out and joined his senior colleague Gautam Gambhir.</p>
<p>Both batters took Sri Lanka’s bowling unit to the cleaners and helped India put up 304 runs on the board. They both went on to score centuries and also built an excellent partnership of 205 runs for the second wicket. Their aggressive batting emboldened the confidence of the whole side as Indian bowlers bundled out the opponents on 254 and played their part efficiently.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (210 runs in Dubai) vs Pakistan in 2018</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687764712924_Rohit-Sharma-and-Shikhar-Dhawan.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the 2018 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan faced each other twice at the Dubai International Stadium. After hammering the Men in Green by eight wickets in the group round, Team India was looking to have a great time against the arch-rivals in the Super Four stage as well.</p>
<p>At the toss, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed emerged victorious and put his team to bat first. Indian bowlers looked disciplined in the big game and contained the two-time Asia Cup winners on an average total of 237. Following the target, openers <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/it-is-not-possible-to-have-55-average-and-a-110-strike-rate-rohit-sharma/" title="Rohit Sharma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohit Sharma</strong></a> and Shikhar Dhawan stepped up and utilised their experience to guide India to a comfortable nine-wicket win.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Confronting both India veterans, Pakistan bowlers looked completely ineffective. Both openers played some exquisite strokes and stitched a 210-run partnership, the third-highest partnership in Asia Cup history. Shikhar got run out at his individual score of 114 but Rohit went back to the pavilion unbeaten with 111 runs off 119. In the end, it was Shikhar, who got the Player of the Match for his stunning innings in the match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (224 runs in Mirpur) vs India in 2012</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563428333_Nasir-Jamshed-and-Mohammad-Hafeez.jpeg" alt="Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Pakistan became the Asia Cup champions for the second time in 2012 after beating Bangladesh in the final by two runs in Mirpur. Throughout the competition, the Men in Green played a fierce brand of cricket under their captain Misbah-ul-Haq to clinch the distinguished trophy. Of their four games in the competition, Misbah and Co. won three and lost one which was against India in Mirpur.</p>
<p>Indian cricket team supporters remember that game for Virat Kohli’s unprecedented 183-run knock. Pakistan team fans recall the contest for the extraordinary partnership between Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed. In the marquee contest at the Shere Bangla Stadium, luck favoured Misbah as he won the toss against his counterpart <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a></strong> and chose to bat first.</p>
<p>Misbah’s decision worked as his openers Hafeez and Jamshed came heavily on Indian bowlers and built the record opening stand of 224 runs. Riding on remarkable batting displays of both openers, Pakistan posted 329 runs in their 50 overs. However, their efforts went in vain due to Kohli’s heroic ton. &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>

<p>Asia Cup 2023 kicked off with a bang with hosts Pakistan hammering first-time participants Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played out an edge of thriller in the next with the hosts emerging victorious in the second match.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the inaugural match, Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and middle-order Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket and broke into record books. This went down as the third-most successful partnership in the history of the continental tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here are the rankings of the five best partnerships in the history of the Asia Cup&nbsp;</h3>
<h3>5. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed (214 runs in Colombo) against Nepal in 2023</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693461082651_Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed.jpeg" alt="Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Babar-Azam-and-Iftikhar-Ahmed. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As we discussed earlier, Pakistan vanquished Nepal in the inaugural game of the <strong>2023 Asia Cup</strong> and earned two points in Group A. The credit for this emphatic triumph should be given to Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed who formed an enormous 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket to shatter the confidence of the opponents.</p>
<p>Earlier in the contest, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first. After the first half of their innings, the Men in Green were four down at a score of 124 in 27.5 overs. Things started changing after Iftikhar’s arrival. The right-handed batter opted to attack the bowlers and he succeeded in doing so comfortably.</p>
<p>He got the support of his skipper Babar, who held one end with his sensible batting. Babar concluded his innings after amassing 151 runs off 131 deliveries. Iftikhar notched up his maiden international ton and went back to the pavilion with his score of unbeaten 109 off just 71 balls. The Pakistan skipper won the Player of the Match award for his spunky knock.</p>
<h5><em>Also see:<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/asia-cup/stats/batting-most-runs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Most Runs in Asia Cup 2023</a></em></h5>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina (198 runs in Karachi) against Pakistan in 2008</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563742856_Virender-Sehwag-and-Suresh-Raina.jpeg" alt="Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the 2008 Asia Cup, India concluded their campaign as runners-up after their humiliating 100-run loss against Sri Lanka in the final in Karachi. Throughout the competition, the Men in Blue played aggressive cricket under MS Dhoni’s captaincy and reached the final. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Dhoni and his men were placed in Pool B along with Pakistan and Hong Kong. They topped the group round beating both sides and qualified for the Super Four. In the match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi, India were tasked to chase a mammoth total of 300. While following the target, India lost Gautam Gambhir in the third over.</p>
<p>Following the left-handed opener’s wicket, Suresh Raina came to the crease and supported Virender Sehwag, who looked in great touch against the bowlers. Both Sehwag and Raina built an impressive 198-run partnership for the second wicket to help the team make a comeback in the contest. With this partnership, they wrote their name as 4th in Asia Cup's best partnerships list.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Raina got dismissed after amassing 84 off 69 and Sehwag chipped in with 119 off 95. <strong>India</strong> completed the chase in the 43rd over and Raina became the recipient of the Player of the Match award at the end of the game. &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir (205 runs in Mirpur) vs Sri Lanka in 2012</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563593476_Virat-Kohli-and-Gautam-Gambhir.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In 2012, India went to the Asia Cup in Bangladesh as the defending champions. After the dismal Australia tour, the team was looking to play quality cricket and retain the coveted trophy. Dhoni and Co. began their campaign confidently with their convincing 50-run win against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in the second game of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene invited India to field first. The 1996 World Cup champions got an early breakthrough in the form of Sachin Tendulkar, who gave away his wicket to Suranga Lakmal in the sixth over of the game. After the Master Blaster’s scalp, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/virat-kohli-will-be-indias-key-player-along-with-rohit-sharma-for-asia-cup-and-odi-world-cup-sourav-ganguly/" title=" Virat Kohli " target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Virat Kohli </strong></a>went out and joined his senior colleague Gautam Gambhir.</p>
<p>Both batters took Sri Lanka’s bowling unit to the cleaners and helped India put up 304 runs on the board. They both went on to score centuries and also built an excellent partnership of 205 runs for the second wicket. Their aggressive batting emboldened the confidence of the whole side as Indian bowlers bundled out the opponents on 254 and played their part efficiently.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (210 runs in Dubai) vs Pakistan in 2018</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1687764712924_Rohit-Sharma-and-Shikhar-Dhawan.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. (Photo Source: Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the 2018 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan faced each other twice at the Dubai International Stadium. After hammering the Men in Green by eight wickets in the group round, Team India was looking to have a great time against the arch-rivals in the Super Four stage as well.</p>
<p>At the toss, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed emerged victorious and put his team to bat first. Indian bowlers looked disciplined in the big game and contained the two-time Asia Cup winners on an average total of 237. Following the target, openers <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/it-is-not-possible-to-have-55-average-and-a-110-strike-rate-rohit-sharma/" title="Rohit Sharma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohit Sharma</strong></a> and Shikhar Dhawan stepped up and utilised their experience to guide India to a comfortable nine-wicket win.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Confronting both India veterans, Pakistan bowlers looked completely ineffective. Both openers played some exquisite strokes and stitched a 210-run partnership, the third-highest partnership in Asia Cup history. Shikhar got run out at his individual score of 114 but Rohit went back to the pavilion unbeaten with 111 runs off 119. In the end, it was Shikhar, who got the Player of the Match for his stunning innings in the match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (224 runs in Mirpur) vs India in 2012</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1693563428333_Nasir-Jamshed-and-Mohammad-Hafeez.jpeg" alt="Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Pakistan became the Asia Cup champions for the second time in 2012 after beating Bangladesh in the final by two runs in Mirpur. Throughout the competition, the Men in Green played a fierce brand of cricket under their captain Misbah-ul-Haq to clinch the distinguished trophy. Of their four games in the competition, Misbah and Co. won three and lost one which was against India in Mirpur.</p>
<p>Indian cricket team supporters remember that game for Virat Kohli’s unprecedented 183-run knock. Pakistan team fans recall the contest for the extraordinary partnership between Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed. In the marquee contest at the Shere Bangla Stadium, luck favoured Misbah as he won the toss against his counterpart <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/ms-dhoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MS Dhoni</a></strong> and chose to bat first.</p>
<p>Misbah’s decision worked as his openers Hafeez and Jamshed came heavily on Indian bowlers and built the record opening stand of 224 runs. Riding on remarkable batting displays of both openers, Pakistan posted 329 runs in their 50 overs. However, their efforts went in vain due to Kohli’s heroic ton. &nbsp;</p>
<p></p>

Asia Cup 2023 kicked off with a bang with hosts Pakistan hammering first-time participants Nepal by 238 runs in the opening game played at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played o

Asia Cup 2023: Ranking top 5 strongest partnerships

In the Asia Cup, some batters stitched some brilliant partnerships and broke into record books. Here's a look at 5 of the very best.

Asia Cup 2023: Ranking top 5 strongest partnerships in tournament's history

In the history of the Asia Cup, some batters stitched some brilliant partnerships and broke into record books.