Abdullah Shafique Equals Unwanted Record with a Hat-Trick of Ducks in South Africa

Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique etched his name into an unfortunate chapter of cricket history after being dismissed for a golden duck in the final ODI against South Africa at Johannesburg.

It marked Abdullah Shafique’s third consecutive duck in the three-match series, equaling the record for the most ducks in a bilateral men’s ODI series.

A Hat-Trick of Ducks

Abdullah Shafique’s dismal run began in the series opener when Marco Jansen bowled him after facing just four balls. The second match brought no reprieve as Jansen dismissed him again, this time caught behind on his second ball. Shafique lasted only one delivery in the final ODI, walking back for his first golden duck in ODI cricket.

Shafique is one of 14 players to record three ducks in an ODI series of any length. This list includes prominent cricketers such as Martin Guptill, Mark Boucher, and Shoaib Malik. However, no player has ever recorded more than three ducks in a single bilateral ODI series.

Players with Most Ducks in a Men’s Bilateral ODI Series

While Abdullah Shafique’s poor form captured headlines for the wrong reasons, his opening partner, Saim Ayub, showcased remarkable consistency. Ayub scored two centuries in the series, including one in the decisive final ODI, taking his tally to three ODI centuries before turning 23. This milestone places him alongside Shahid Afridi and Salman Butt for the most ODI hundreds by a Pakistani under the age of 23.

Despite Shafique’s struggles, Pakistan secured a commanding 3-0 series victory against South Africa. However, his form raises concerns ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming assignments, including the Champions Trophy. With competition for top-order spots intensifying, selectors may need to evaluate his role in the squad moving forward.