RAWALPINDI: Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt set a record for the highest opening partnership in Twenty20s, adding an unbroken 209, in an astonishing batting display that propelled Lahore Whites to a 109-run win over Islamabad in the National Twenty20 Cup at Pindi Stadium here on Friday. Their partnership meant that Lahore had another T20 record – the highest innings score by a team without losing a wicket. Kamran’s knock was devastating, as the former Pakistan wicketkeeper scored 150 off 71 balls, the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in the format. He hit 14 fours and a dozen sixes, even as Salman played a more sedate knock of 55 off 49. The pair surpassed the opening partnership of 207 set by Kent batsmen Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond in the Natwest t20 Blast earlier this year, and notched up only the third 200-plus opening stand in T20 cricket. There was no respite for Islamabad, none of their five bowlers going at less than 9.50 runs per over. Kamran also surpassed South Africa’s Quinton de Kock to post the highest individual T20 score by a wicket-keeper; the South African wicket-keeper had scored 126 not out before Kamran overtook him by scoring an unbeaten 150 yesterday. The opener is the first Pakistan player and 8th overall to score 150 or more in a T20 inning. His score of 150 not out is the 10th highest individual score in the shortest format of professional cricket. The inning has also helped Kamran to become the first Pakistan and only third overall player to score fifty or more in five consecutive T20 innings. Before 150 not out against Islamabad, Kamran had scores of 52, 65, 63 and 52 in the ongoing National T20 Cup. Two other players to score five consecutive 50s or more in T20 cricket are India’s Virender Sehwag and Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza. During the innings, Kamran also created a new national record of most sixes in a T20 inning by smashing 12 sixes, surpassing the record of 10 sixes in an innings by Bilal Asif. In reply, Islamabad never began to mount a realistic chase as Lahore’s bowlers struck regularly and were economical. Wahab Riaz was perhaps the most impressive, dismissing two batsman and conceding only 7 runs in three overs, but Umaid Asif stood out despite being the only Lahore bowler to end wicketless. He conceded a mere six runs in his full quota of four overs, including a maiden, as Islamabad were scuttled out for 100. Lahore Whites had already secured their path to the semis before this game, but the margin of the win ensured they finished above their local rivals Lahore Blues and took top spot. Brief scores: Lahore Whites 209-0 vs Islamabad 100 (18.4 overs, target 210) Lahore Whites won by 109 runs. Published in Daily Times, November 25th 2017.