Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam found himself in the headlines for an unfortunate reason during the first T20 International against South Africa, as he matched Shahid Afridi’s unwanted record of most ducks in T20I cricket for Pakistan.
Babar Azam Dismissed for a Duck
In the first T20 of the series against South Africa, Babar Azam was dismissed for zero off just two balls, caught by Corbin Bosch. The early dismissal added another unwanted statistic to his career, as it marked his eighth duck in T20 Internationals, equaling Shahid Afridi’s tally.
The dismissal came as a disappointment for fans who expected a strong start from Pakistan’s captain and one of the world’s most consistent white-ball batters.
Equaling an Unwanted Record
With this performance, Babar Azam joined Shahid Afridi as the third Pakistani player to be dismissed for a duck eight times in T20 Internationals. The record highlights how even the most talented players can experience off days in the shortest format of the game.
Currently, the list of Pakistani players with the most ducks in T20Is stands as follows:
- Umar Akmal – 10 ducks
- Saim Ayub – 9 ducks
- Babar Azam & Shahid Afridi – 8 ducks each
- Kamran Akmal & Mohammad Hafeez – 7 ducks each
The fact that some of Pakistan’s biggest names appear on this list reflects the high-risk nature of T20 cricket, where aggression often comes at a cost.
Pakistan’s Struggles Against South Africa
Pakistan’s batting struggles continued as the team suffered a 55-run defeat to South Africa in the first T20 of the series. South Africa’s bowlers dominated throughout, restricting Pakistan’s top order and building early pressure.
With the victory, South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the T20 series, leaving Pakistan searching for answers ahead of the remaining matches.
Focus on Comeback
Despite the disappointing start, fans and analysts believe that Babar Azam will bounce back. Known for his mental strength and consistency, Babar has often turned poor performances into strong comebacks. The next match will be crucial for him, both as a batter and as a leader to inspire Pakistan’s revival in the series.
