Babar Azam has matched Shahid Afridi’s record for the most ducks in T20 Internationals, after he was dismissed for a golden duck during Pakistan’s recent match against South Africa. The match, which was the first of the T20I series, ended in a disappointing defeat for Pakistan as they lost by 55 runs.
In a challenging start, Babar faced only two deliveries before being caught out by South Africa’s Corbin Bosch, marking his eighth dismissal without scoring in T20Is. This unfortunate milestone means he now shares the record with former captain Shahid Afridi, who also had eight ducks in T20 matches. Other Pakistani players who have faced similar struggles include Umar Akmal, Saim Ayub, and Kamran Akmal.
Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled throughout the match, chasing a target of 195 runs. The team was dismissed for 139 runs in just 18.1 overs, with Bosch’s impressive bowling performance earning him four wickets. Reeza Hendricks stood out for South Africa, scoring 60 runs off 40 balls and providing a strong foundation for his team.
On the Pakistani side, Mohammad Nawaz was the bright spot with the ball, capturing three wickets for 26 runs. In the batting order, Saim Ayub scored 37 runs, while Nawaz contributed 36 runs, but their efforts were not enough against a formidable South African bowling attack.
As Pakistan’s cricketing journey continues, the team will look to regroup and come back stronger in the following matches, aiming to improve their performance and learn from this setback.