RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam matched an unwanted T20I record on Thursday when he fell for a second-ball duck against Sri Lanka in the tri-series clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Dushmantha Chameera produced a perfect length delivery that jagged sharply back in, struck Babar on the back knee, and sent him walking without scoring.
The dismissal placed Babar alongside Umar Akmal and Saim Ayub on Pakistan’s list of most T20I ducks, with all three now holding 10 ducks each. Babar reached the tally in his 135th match, while Umar Akmal managed the same in 84 games and Saim Ayub in just 55, highlighting contrasting trajectories across their careers.
Pakistan’s troubles deepened as the scoreboard showed 44-4 within six overs, chasing a daunting 185-run target set by Sri Lanka. Earlier, opener Kamil Mishara lifted his side with a blazing 76 off 48 balls, setting up a must-win performance for Sri Lanka in the tri-series.
Playing XIs featured a mix of experience and youth, with Pakistan fielding Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, captain Salman Ali Agha, and wicketkeeper Usman Khan, while Sri Lanka’s lineup included Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Chameera, whose early strikes proved decisive.
At the time this report was filed, Pakistan were still struggling to recover from the early collapse as Sri Lanka tightened their grip on the match.
