Top 5 current opening pairs in ODI cricket

Openers are assigned the most crucial tasks that can potentially decide the result of a match in either team's favor. Needless to say, a blistering start by the opening pair does almost half the work for the batting lineup, relieving the upcoming batsmen and letting them play to their strengths. In high-pressure clashes, they have to absorb the pressure and deal with their cursory understanding of the conditions soundly.

On the contrary, a feeble showing by the opening duo can cause a collapse of the batting lineup owing to the resulting burden on others and early exposure to the new ball. In that case, the upcoming batsmen have to manipulate their respective batting styles to pace up the innings accordingly, which often shackles their talents. Naturally, the top-grade sides in the world have stable opening pairs at the top.

On that note, let's take a look at the 5 best opening pairs in the world presently.

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#5 Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

India v Pakistan - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

For a team interminably wrecked by erratic performances, constant upheavals in the roster, decaying cricket board and whatnot, the Champions Trophy 2017 came across as a glimmer of hope for the passionate Pakistani fans. Their team had emerged victors in a tournament which they started as the lowest-ranked side.

From there onward, there began a process of rejuvenation in Pakistan cricket and though it has not been entirely straightforward, things seem much better now than in the past.

A product of Champions Trophy 2017 was the unorthodox batsman Fakhar Zaman, who has since become a regular in the team. The southpaw is accompanied at the top by Imam-ul-Haq. Both of them have come to the fore as a commodity Pakistan cricket longed to attain - a stable opening pair. Last year, the twosome achieved the the then highest and now second-highest opening partnership (304) in ODI cricket against Zimbabwe.

#4 Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla (South Africa)

South Africa v West Indies – ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm Up

South Africa have always found themselves in the top echelons of cricket, but the Proteas have struggled to make it big in mega tournaments. The same has been seen this year too, with South Africa losing their opening three encounters in World Cup 2019. They have slim chances of making it to the top-four before the knockout stages.

Perhaps their biggest disappointment has been their ever-reliable opening pair. Hashim Amla has been unable to rise to the occasion, being frequently dismissed for meagre scores. Such is his immense significance for the team that their batting lineup is still struggling to cope with Amla's ineffectiveness.

For long, Amla and Quinton de Kock have acted as a shelter for an inconsistent South African middle order. Presently, they constitute the second most prolific opening pair, mostly due to the complementary style of batting of the two players. In 90 innings, they have chalked up 4154 runs jointly at a remarkable average of 47.74.

#3 Aaron Finch and David Warner (Australia)

Australia v New Zealand - Cricket World Cup Practice Match

Following the sandpaper fiasco last year that saw Australian greats Steve Smith and David Warner make tearful departures, few expected Australian cricket team to rise from the ashes like they have. With the intimidating Warner-Smith duo back in the batting lineup and an aggressive presence in the skipper Aaron Finch, the team is ready mark their resurgence with another World Cup triumph.

The five-time World Cup champions have put their faith in leading lights Finch and Warner to open the innings for the Aussies. Both of them have made in excess of 100 ODI outings for Australia and each boasts an average of more than 40. They have racked up 2524 runs in conjunction at an average of 47.62. With 6 century partnerships under their belt, their highest opening stand of 231 runs came against India in 2017.

#2 Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow (England)

England v Bangladesh - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Certainly among the red-hot favourties to win World Cup 2019, England are blessed with one of the most balanced squads in the tournament. Opening this mean-looking side are Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, both of whom are counted among the most destructive batsmen in the world. On a given day (NO, on any day), they are more than capable of smashing the opposition all over the ground.

The pair has one of the highest averages among all opening pairs, which is a staggering 62.62. They have notched up 1816 runs in 29 innings. Together, they have got 8 century partnerships, with the highest being 174 against Australia. Their most recent feat came against Bangladesh in the ongoing World Cup where they set up a 128-run opening stand.

#1 Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan (India)

India v Sri Lanka - ICC Champions Trophy

Despite a shaky lower middle order, India's batting lineup is still a formidable force to be reckoned with. That does not even come across as a surprise because their batting department largely depends on two towering figures to fly out of traps - Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

While the talismanic Virat Kohli is always there to make his presence felt, Rohit and Dhawan have been the mainstays of India's batting lineup for about six years.

Dhawan has been ruled out of play for three weeks owing to his thumb injury in the match against Australia. Presently, among all the opening pairs in the world, Rohit and Dhawan have scored the most runs, 4681, at an average of 45.89. They have got the second most century partnerships (16) as an opening pair, only behind the legendary duo of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.