Top 5 10th wicket partnerships in ODI cricket history

Cricket is known as a gentlemen’s game and we know how unpredictable it can be. In fact, cricket is regarded as one of the most unpredictable sport. You can never tell when the game is lost or won until it is done.

There have been many surprise moments in cricket and hence, the unpredictability factor. There are many unpredictable moments in the game of cricket and one such unpredictable factor is, the last wicket pair scoring heavy runs.

Yes, I am talking about tenth wicket partnerships in cricket. There have been numerous occasions when the last wicket pair got together and scored valuable runs for their team. More often than not, the team ended up on the losing side but there have also been stunning victories because of the 10th wicket partnership.

Let’s take a look at the top five 10th wicket partnerships in the history of ODI cricket. Also, lets us know your favorite of them all.

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#1 Yasir Shah & Mohammad Amir - 76 runs vs England

In 2016, Pakistan toured England for a five-match ODI series. It was the third ODI and England were up by 2-0. A do-or-die game for the visitors and it was imperative for them to win this one and keep the series alive. Trent Bridge hosted the third ODI and England batted first. Alex Hales seemed to have been in blistering form as he struck a career-best 171 of just 122 deliveries. He, along with fifties from Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan, gave England the then highest ever ODI total of 444 for 3 in 50 overs. Chasing a mammoth score, Pakistan faltered and slumped to 199 for 9.

With the game and series lost, the last pair of Yasir Shah and Mohammad Amir began to frustrate the English bowlers with some fine strokes. They both added a remarkable 76 runs for the last wicket before Amir was dismissed for a sensational 58 off 28 balls as Yasir Shah remained unbeaten on 26 off 32.

Pakistan did lose the game by a massive margin but Yasir and Amir were highly praised for their stellar efforts.

#2. Luke Ronchi & Mitchell McClenaghan - 76 runs vs South Africa

New Zealand v South Africa

In the year 2014, South Africa toured New Zealand for a three-match ODI series. Having won the first ODI, South Africa were high on confidence. The second ODI was held at Mount Maunganui. South Africa batted first and on the back of a blazing hundred by Hashim Amla coupled with a brisk fifty by Faf du Plessis, they ended on a healthy 282 for 9 in 50 overs.

Chasing 283, New Zealand got off to a horrendous start and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Soon they found themselves tottering at 134 for 9 when Luke Ronchi was joined in by Mitchell McClenaghan. The series was already lost by now so Ronchi and McClenaghan decided to play freely without any pressure.

The boundaries began to flow as the frustration started to show on the South African faces. The partnership rose to 76 runs before Ronchi fell for 79 as McClenaghan remained unbeaten on 34.

New Zealand were bundled out for 210 as South Africa won the game comfortably by 72 runs. It could have been a lot worse if not for the 10th wicket partnership which bailed the hosts out from losing by a heavier margin.

#3. Ravi Rampaul & Kemar Roach - 99* runs vs India

Rampaul and Roach vs India in 2011

It was in the year 2011 when the West Indies came to India for a five-match ODI series. The second ODI was held in Vizag on 2nd December. Put into bat, the Windies lost wickets in a heap and apart from Lendl Simmons, all the batsmen struggled against the pace and guile of the Indian bowlers.

Soon Windies found themselves in the doldrums at 170 for 9 as the last batting pair of Rampaul and Roach came together at the crease. Roach began rotating the strike and found the odd boundary while Rampaul tore into the Indian seamers and spinners with utter disdain.

In no time, the West Indies total looked a good one as both the batters saw out the 50 overs. West Indies ended up on 270 for 9 with Rampaul unbeaten on a spectacular 86 off 66 and Roach unbeaten on 24 off 36.

The partnership was worth 99 runs in 14 overs. It was a fighting total but Virat Kohli’s sublime ton and Rohit Sharma’s sturdy 90 guided India to a facile 5-wicket win.

#4. Mohammad Amir & Saeed Ajmal - 103 runs vs New Zealand

In 2009, New Zealand and Pakistan played a three-match ODI series in the UAE. The series was locked 1-1 with the series decider held in Abu Dhabi. In a crunch game, New Zealand opted to have a bat. A quickfire 76 at the top from skipper Brendon McCullum and a gritty 40-odd by Ross Taylor helped New Zealand post 211.

Pakistan looked all at sea in the chase and were reeling at 101 for 9 when Mohammad Amir and Saeed Ajmal did something quite special. Ample overs were in the hut so Amir and Yasir decided to nudge the singles and twos. They found the odd boundary here and there as Pakistan hoped to pull off a miraculous victory.

Soon, the runs started to flow freely as Pakistan edged closer to a stunning win. Eight runs were required off the last over as the partnership between the two crossed the 100-run mark; 103 to be precise.

Ajmal was dismissed for 33 on the very first ball by Oram as New Zealand pulled off an incredible win. Mohammad Amir was left stranded on 73 of 81 balls.

#5. Viv Richards & Michael Holding - 106* runs vs England

Sir Viv Richards in action against England in 1984

Arguably one of the most historic ODI matches in cricket was played between England and West Indies on 31st May 1984 in Manchester. A strong West Indies team found themselves in danger of getting bowled out as the scorecard read 166 for 9.

Sir Viv Richards was still at the crease and he was joined by number 11 batsman Michael Holding. What transpired was simply an incredible innings by the great Viv Richards. Sir Viv blasted 21 fours and 3 sixes in a stunning 189 runs and was involved in an extraordinary 106 runs unbeaten partnership with Holding.

West Indies finished on 272 for 9 in their 55 overs. The knock left England stunned and that probably got the better of them as they were skittled out for a paltry 168 to give West Indies a whopping 104 runs win.