Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub has joined an unwanted list in T20 International cricket, equalling Shahid Afridi’s record for the most ducks (scores of zero) by a Pakistani batsman in the format.
In a Group Stage clash of the Asia Cup against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ayub was dismissed for a duck by pacer Junaid Siddique on the fifth delivery of Pakistan’s innings. This marked Ayub’s third consecutive duck in T20 Internationals, setting up a worrying trend for the left-handed opener.
The dismissal was his eighth duck in just 44 T20I innings, matching the tally set by Shahid Afridi. However, Afridi took 98 matches to accumulate the same number of ducks.
However, the all-time leader for Pakistan in this unwanted category is Umar Akmal, who has been dismissed for zero ten times in 84 T20I matches. Kamran Akmal follows with seven ducks in 58 matches, while Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam also share the record of seven ducks each.
Globally, Zimbabwean pacer Richard Ngarava holds the record for the most ducks in a calendar year in T20 Internationals. He was dismissed for zero six times in 20 matches in 2024.
NATIONAL TEAM POWERS ON
Despite Saim Ayub’s unfortunate duck, Pakistan have progressed to the Super 4s in the Asia Cup 2025 by securing a 41-run victory over the UAE in a high-paced T20 clash, with their bowlers dominating the hosts after a competitive batting effort.
Chasing a target of 147, UAE managed only 105 in 17.4 overs, falling well short of the mark set by Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman led the home side’s batting with a quickfire 50 off 36 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours, while Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late surge added 29 not out from 14 deliveries, boosting Pakistan’s total to 146 for nine in 20 overs.
Captain Salman Ali Agha contributed 20 runs, and Mohammad Haris chipped in with 18.
