(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Saim Ayub Equals Unwanted T20I Record During Asia Cup 2025
The 2025 Asia Cup was seen as a golden opportunity for young Pakistan batter Saim Ayub to showcase his talent on the big stage. However, the left-hander has struggled to find form throughout the tournament, with his lean patch continuing in Pakistan’s final Super Fours clash against Bangladesh.
Batting at number three, Saim was dismissed without scoring after offering a catch to Rishad Hossain off Mahedi Hasan’s bowling. This dismissal marked his sixth duck of the year in T20 internationals, a figure that now equals the all-time record for the most ducks in a single calendar year.
Previously, Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava had set the mark with six ducks in 2024. Saim’s latest dismissal places him alongside Ngarava at the top of this list.
Most Ducks in a Calendar Year in T20Is
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Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe) – 6 (2024)
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Saim Ayub (Pakistan) – 6 (2025)
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Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe) – 5 (2024)
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Regis Chakabva (Zimbabwe) – 5 (2022)
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Sanju Samson (India) – 5 (2024)
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Hassan Nawaz (Pakistan) – 5 (2025)
In addition, Saim Ayub has now become the second-most dismissed Pakistan batter for zero in T20Is, overtaking Shahid Afridi. His tally of nine ducks in 47 matches is just one behind Umar Akmal’s record of 10 in 84 matches.
Pakistan’s Most Ducks in T20Is
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Umar Akmal – 10 (84 matches)
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Saim Ayub – 9 (47 matches)
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Shahid Afridi – 8 (98 matches)
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Kamran Akmal – 7 (58 matches)
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Mohammad Hafeez – 7 (119 matches)
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Babar Azam – 7 (128 matches)
While his batting form has been under the spotlight, Saim has shown glimpses of promise with the ball. However, with senior players expected to return for the upcoming series against South Africa, the young batter faces a challenging period ahead regarding his place in the side.
For Pakistan, Saim’s development remains important for the team’s long-term future in the T20 format. Whether he can bounce back from this tough phase will be closely watched by fans and selectors alike.
