3 ducks in a row for Saim Ayub: Pakistan opener scripts unwanted record in Asia Cup 2025

3 ducks in a row for Saim Ayub: Pakistan opener scripts unwanted record in Asia Cup 2025 (AP Photo)

Pakistan have secured their place in the ‘Super Four’ stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after defeating the UAE by 41 runs in Dubai. Along with their arch-rivals India, they have now qualified from Group A. However, young opener Saim Ayub once again struggled with the bat, registering a two-ball duck against UAE’s Junaid Siddique. It was his third consecutive duck in the tournament. Before the Asia Cup began, there were high hopes for Ayub, who is known for his aggressive batting style from the very first ball.

But so far, he has endured a nightmare run. Against both Oman and India, he was dismissed for golden ducks. With this, Ayub now finds himself part of an unwanted record.

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3rd Pakistani batter to record three or more consecutive ducks in T20Is

Ayub has become the third Pakistani batter to register three back-to-back ducks in T20Is. Before him, Mohammad Hafeez had the same unwanted record. Abdullah Shafique leads this list, having recorded four consecutive ducks in the shortest format.

5th duck in 2025 T20Is

Ayub’s dismissal against UAE was also his fifth duck in T20Is this year. With this, he now sits joint-second for the most ducks in a calendar year in T20Is. He joins Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani (2024), Regis Chakabva (2022), India’s Sanju Samson (2024), and teammate Hassan Nawaz (2025), who all have five ducks each. The record belongs to Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava, who had six ducks in 2024.

4 ducks in his last six T20I innings

Ayub’s form looks even more concerning when viewed across his last six T20I innings: 0 vs UAE, 0 vs India, 0 vs Oman, 17 vs Afghanistan, 11 vs UAE, and 0 vs Afghanistan.

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8th duck in his T20I career

Overall, Ayub has now accumulated eight ducks in 42 T20I innings. Among Pakistani players, only Umar Akmal has more, with 10 ducks in 79 innings. Despite his batting struggles, Ayub has shown promise with the ball. In three innings, he has taken six wickets in 10 overs, including a three-wicket haul against India. While his batting remains under severe scrutiny, his contributions with the ball have been a silver lining for Pakistan in this tournament.

Now, Ayub will be in action again when Pakistan play their first ‘Super Four’ clash against India on September 21 in Dubai. In this high-voltage encounter, all eyes will be on him to see if he can finally open his account and give Pakistan a brisk start.