February 20, 2025: Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali made history with a stunning 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The two batters’ remarkable resilience came when Bangladesh was struggling at a precarious 35/5, facing a massive challenge against the defending champions in Dubai.
This 154-run stand is now the highest partnership for the sixth wicket or lower in the history of the Champions Trophy, surpassing the previous record of 131 runs set by South Africa’s Justin Kemp and Mark Boucher against Pakistan in 2006. Hridoy and Jaker’s heroic efforts have placed them among the great partnerships in the tournament, joining the ranks of notable pairings like Chris Cairns and Chris Harris of New Zealand (122 against India in 2000) and India’s Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif (117 against Zimbabwe in 2002).
Their outstanding performance not only revived Bangladesh’s faltering innings but also helped set a new milestone for the tournament, turning the tide in their favor and giving them a fighting chance. Both batters played with composure and confidence under immense pressure, earning admiration from cricket fans and pundits alike.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first in their opening game against India at the Dubai International Stadium. The match, which was part of Group A alongside Pakistan and New Zealand, saw Bangladesh fighting back valiantly after their early collapse. Hridoy’s and Jaker’s partnership was a shining moment in a match that will be remembered for years.
The two teams are scheduled to face Pakistan and New Zealand in their next fixtures, with all eyes now on Bangladesh’s continued progress in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.