ISLAMABAD – West Indies completed a 196-run victory against Ireland onSunday 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 forthe first wicket, the highest ever for an opening stand in ODI cricket.Records tumbled in Dublin as Campbell hammered 179 while his partner Hopesmashed 170 in a world-record partnership.
This was only the second time in ODI history that both openers went pasttheir individual 150s. Interestingly, Campbell is not a part of WestIndies’ World Cup plans. However, his fiery innings will make them rethinkthe best 15 for the mega event.
What’s even odder is that even Shai Hope isn’t a regular opener yet the duomanaged to achieve something that’s never been done in ODI cricket. Thepair also came closest to complete their innings without being dismissedand had they stayed at the crease for a few more minutes.
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Imam and Fakhar partnered to add 304 against Zimbabwe in 2018, however, thecareer-best numbers for the West Indians stormed past the record. The duocame within 17 balls of becoming the first opening pair in ODI history tobat through the entire first innings of a match.
