Pakistan’s T20 sensation Saim Ayub has unfortunately reached an unwanted statistical milestone. His failure to score in the third T20I against South Africa in Lahore resulted in his seventh duck of the 2025 calendar year. This places him at the top of an unfortunate list, surpassing the previous record for the most ducks in a single year by a full member country cricketer.
Ayub’s 2025 has been a mixed bag, marked by brilliant displays interspersed with concerning collapses. The recent South Africa series perfectly encapsulated this dichotomy. After a stellar, unbeaten 71 in the second T20I, which was pivotal in Pakistan’s dominant victory, he was dismissed for nought in the subsequent match. This early departure against the Proteas left Pakistan chasing the ball from the outset.
The trend of low scores has been a recurring theme for Ayub this year. His Asia Cup campaign saw him register three consecutive ducks, and a further one against Bangladesh added to his tally. While his potential as a game-changer is undeniable, as evidenced by his outstanding innings, his inability to avoid the ‘duck’ has become a significant talking point and a concern for the Pakistani team management.