In a stunning and disheartening turn of events for Pakistan fans, their captain and batting mainstay, Babar Azam, has stumbled into the history books for all the wrong reasons. During the high-stakes T20I tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, Babar was dismissed for a golden duck—his tenth in T20 International cricket—tying him with Umar Akmal and the rapidly rising Saim Ayub for the most ducks by any Pakistani player [[1], [5]].
This latest failure wasn’t just a personal low; it came in a match Pakistan desperately needed to win to stay alive in the tournament. Sri Lanka, powered by a brilliant 76 from Kamil Mishra and a devastating four-wicket spell from Dushmantha Chameera, posted 184/5 and held on for a nerve-wracking six-run victory .
Table of Contents
- The Unwanted Milestone: Babar Azam Ducks in Focus
- Match Breakdown: How Sri Lanka Secured the Win
- Historical Context: Pakistan’s Unwanted Duck Club
- The Bigger Picture: Where Babar Stands Globally
- What’s Next for Babar and Pakistan?
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Unwanted Milestone: Babar Azam Ducks in Focus
For a player of Babar Azam’s caliber—a former world No. 1 in all formats and widely regarded as one of the modern greats—this statistic is a glaring anomaly. His Babar Azam ducks count now sits at a staggering 10 in just 128 innings . To put this in perspective, it took the mercurial Umar Akmal 84 matches to reach the same number, while the young Saim Ayub has done it in a mere 55 innings .
This record is particularly jarring because Babar is known for his technical prowess and composure. Yet, in the high-octane, pressure-cooker environment of T20 cricket, he has found himself on the wrong end of the scoreboard with alarming frequency. Each of these ducks represents a massive opportunity cost for a team that often relies on him to anchor the innings.
Match Breakdown: How Sri Lanka Secured the Tri-Series Final Spot
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Sri Lanka, facing a must-win scenario, delivered a clinical performance. Opener Kamil Mishra’s 76 was the backbone of their innings, providing the perfect platform for their middle order .
In response, Pakistan’s chase never truly gained momentum. The early loss of their captain, Babar Azam, for a duck was a body blow from which they never fully recovered. Dushmantha Chameera’s exceptional spell of 4 wickets ripped through the Pakistani batting lineup, ensuring the hosts fell short by six runs . This victory has now booked Sri Lanka a place in the final of the T20I tri-series .
Historical Context: Pakistan’s Unwanted Duck Club
Babar Azam’s name now sits alongside two very different players in Pakistan’s cricketing history:
- Umar Akmal: Known for his explosive talent but also his inconsistency, Akmal’s 10 ducks in 84 matches were a symptom of his often reckless approach.
- Saim Ayub: A young, aggressive opener whose game is built for the T20 era. His 10 ducks in just 55 matches highlight his high-risk, high-reward style .
Babar, however, doesn’t fit neatly into either category. His game is built on patience and precision, making his high duck count a perplexing statistic that analysts and fans alike are struggling to reconcile with his overall excellence.
The Bigger Picture: Where Babar Stands Globally
While this is a national record for Pakistan, it’s important to view it in the global context. The overall record for the most ducks in T20I history is held by Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, who has an astonishing 14 ducks to his name [[21], [22]].
Babar’s 10 ducks place him firmly among the players with the most dismissals without scoring in the format, but he hasn’t yet reached the very top of this unfortunate global list. He is, however, in a cohort that includes players known for either extreme aggression or, in his case, an uncharacteristic vulnerability at the crease in the shortest format.
What’s Next for Babar and Pakistan?
This latest setback raises serious questions for both Babar and the Pakistani team management. As the team’s captain and premier batter, his form is paramount to their success in the upcoming ICC events. The pressure will be immense for him to find a solution to this recurring issue.
Can he adjust his game for the T20 format to eliminate these costly starts? Or is this a sign of a deeper technical or mental block under the unique pressures of the game’s fastest format? The cricketing world will be watching closely. For more on Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures, check out our guide on Pakistan’s international schedule.
Conclusion
Babar Azam’s equaling of Pakistan’s unwanted T20I ducks record is a significant moment in his otherwise glittering career. It’s a stark reminder that even the greatest players have their Achilles’ heel. While the immediate focus is on this painful statistic, the real story will be how he responds. A champion is defined not by his failures, but by his ability to bounce back from them. The next few matches in this tri-series and beyond will be a true test of Babar Azam’s legendary resolve.
Sources
- Times of India: Babar Azam equals unwanted T20I record with another duck
- ESPNcricinfo: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 6th Match, Tri-Series 2025
- ICC Official Website: International Cricket Council