Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafiq has created an unnecessary record by being dismissed for zero runs in all the matches of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. He is the first batsman to do so in the history of the game.
The third duck in Johannesburg also ensured that the Pakistani opener had the most ducks in a calendar year. In 2024, the 25-year-old registered seven ducks in 21 innings.
Shafiq surpassed Imran Nazir who hit six ducks in 32 innings in 2000 and Mohammad Hafeez who hit the same number of ducks in 43 innings in 2012.
However, the world record for most wickets in a calendar year is 8, held by Herschel Gibbs’ 51 innings in 2002 and Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 56 innings in 2012.
cleaning
Pakistan swept the ODI series against South Africa 3-0, winning the third match by 36 runs under the DLS method.
After opener Saim Ayub scored 101 off 94 balls, Pakistan scored 308-9 in a match limited to 47 overs by rain at Wanderers. Chasing a winning target of 308 runs, South Africa were bowled out for 271 runs in 42 overs.
After losing the toss and batting first, Pakistan had a 1-1 lead after losing Abdullah Shafiq in the first over. The innings featured two crucial partnerships with Ayub – 114 for the second wicket with Babar Azam (52 for 71) and 93 for the third wicket with captain Mohammad Rizwan (52 for 53).
The 22-year-old Ayub, who scored 109 in the first ODI, was caught against debutant Corbin Bose. Ayub hit two sixes and 13 fours. Middle-order batsman Salman Agha scored 48 runs off 33 balls.
South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took 3-56 wickets.
In reply, Heinrich Klaasen scored 81 runs off 43 balls while Bosch scored 40 runs for the hosts. Pakistan’s spinner Sufiyan Mukim took 4-52 in eight overs.
Pakistan had already secured the ODI series by winning the opener by three wickets and the second ODI by 81 runs.
Pakistan’s fifth successive bilateral ODI series win puts them in a good position for the Champions Trophy to be held in February.
Why should you buy our membership?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be confused and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package