Constructing hybrid hollow composites based on metal chalcogenides and nanocarbon materials is of great interests for electrochemical energy storage applications. In this work, a metal-organic framework (MOF)-engaged template strategy is developed to mediate the in-situ formation of ultrafine ZnS nanorods rooted in the hollow carbon polyhedra (denoted as ZnS NR@HCP). The synthesis is realized through a simultaneous carbonization and sulfidation of Zn-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) template at elevated temperatures. The as-prepared hybrid hollow composites exhibit a highly porous and robust structure with intimate coupling between ZnS nanorods and carbon supports, which provides facile ion and electron transport pathways as well as high mechanical stability. When evaluated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, these unique ZnS NR@HCP architectures manifest excellent lithium-storage performance in terms of ultrahigh reversible specific capacity (840 mAh g(-1) after 300 cycles at 600 mA g(-1)) and exceptional rate capability (1388, 1063, 962, 824 and 608 mAh g(-1) at 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 mA g(-1)). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.