West Indies completed a 196-run victory against Ireland on Sunday as their openers partnered to register their names in history books, replacing Imam-ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman’s record.
Shai Hope and John Campbell blasted big centuries as they combined 365 for the first wicket, the highest ever for an opening stand in ODI cricket. Records tumbled in Dublin as Campbell hammered 179 while his partner Hope smashed 170 in a world-record partnership.
This was only the second time in ODI history that both openers went past their individual 150s. Interestingly, Campbell is not a part of West Indies’ World Cup plans. However, his fiery innings will make them rethink the best 15 for the mega event.
What’s even odder is that even Shai Hope isn’t a regular opener yet the duo managed to achieve something that’s never been done in ODI cricket. The pair also came closest to complete their innings without being dismissed and had they stayed at the crease for a few more minutes.
Imam and Fakhar partnered to add 304 against Zimbabwe in 2018, however, the career-best numbers for the West Indians stormed past the record. The duo came within 17 balls of becoming the first opening pair in ODI history to bat through the entire first innings of a match.
The duo was only 7 runs short of the highest ever partnership in ODI cricket. Interestingly, the record for the highest partnership of 372, also belongs to two West Indians. Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels added 372 against Zimbabwe in 2015 World Cup against Zimbabwe for the second wicket.
Chasing 382, Ireland only managed 185, losing by a huge margin of 196 runs.
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