RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam made an unwanted return to the record books after getting out for a duck in the first T20I against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Playing his first limited-overs match in nearly a year, Babar failed to open his account, equalling Shahid Afridi’s record for the most ducks in T20 internationals for Pakistan. The dismissal added another frustrating chapter to the former captain’s T20I career.
Following his latest duck, Babar now sits alongside Afridi with eight ducks, trailing only Umar Akmal and Saim Ayub on the list of Pakistani batters with the most T20I ducks.
Most Ducks for Pakistan in T20Is:
- Umar Akmal – 10
- Saim Ayub – 9
- Babar Azam – 8
- Shahid Afridi – 8
- Kamran Akmal – 7
- Mohammad Hafeez – 7
Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a disappointing 55-run defeat in the opening T20I of the three-match series.
Batting first, South Africa posted a competitive 194/9 in 20 overs, powered by Reeza Hendricks’ brilliant 60 off 40 balls. Quinton de Kock (23) and Tony de Zorzi (33) provided crucial runs at the top. For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz was the standout performer with three wickets, helping limit the scoring rate in the middle overs.
In reply, Pakistan’s chase never found momentum. Despite a promising 31-run opening stand between Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, the hosts collapsed once early wickets fell. Babar Azam’s early dismissal for zero further deepened Pakistan’s woes.
Saim Ayub showed resistance with a quick 37 off 28 balls, but the rest of the lineup failed to build partnerships. South African bowler Corbin Bosch led the attack with four wickets, while George Linde took three, dismantling Pakistan’s batting order and sealing a convincing win.
With this victory, South Africa take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series. The second T20I will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Friday, October 31.