Babar Azam, the Pakistani batting maestro, has added another unwanted record to his name, surpassing Shahid Afridi for most ducks in T20 Internationals for Pakistan. This dubious achievement arrived during the opening match of the tri-nation T20 series against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, where he was dismissed for a three-ball duck.
Azam, who recently turned 31, now has nine T20I ducks, moving him ahead of Afridi's previous record of eight. He now sits behind Saim Ayub and Umar Akmal, who jointly hold the top spot with 10 ducks each. This unwanted feat comes despite Azam's reputation as a prolific run-scorer and a mainstay of the Pakistan batting lineup.
Babar Azam's dismissal against Zimbabwe was a result of a sharp, in-swinging delivery from Brad Evans that trapped him leg before wicket. Despite a review, the on-field decision was upheld, sending Azam back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. This marked his third duck in the last six T20I innings, highlighting a recent struggle in the format.
The Pakistani batsman had been in decent form prior to this match. Earlier in November, he guided Pakistan to a T20I series win over South Africa, even notching a match-winning half-century. He also became the all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is, surpassing India's Rohit Sharma. However, his recent performances have been inconsistent, especially since his return to the T20I side after missing the Asia Cup 2025.
Babar Azam's journey in T20I cricket has been full of ups and downs. He made his debut in September 2016 against England and quickly established himself as a key player. He has captained Pakistan in three T20 World Cups. However, he was dropped from the T20I squad in March 2025 before being recalled for the series against South Africa and Zimbabwe in October 2025.
Despite this recent setback, Babar Azam remains a vital component of Pakistan's T20I setup. His career stats showcase his talent, with a batting average of nearly 40 and a strike rate of 129. As he approaches the top of the list of Pakistani batsmen with the most T20I ducks, Babar will be looking to regain his form and focus on his strengths: scoring runs and leading his team to victory.
