Dubai, 25 September 2025 — Pakistan’s left-hand opener Saim Ayub endured yet another dismissal for zero (a duck), this time during the Asia Cup T20 match against Bangladesh, bringing his total in 2025 to six ducks — a tally that ties a menacing T20 record.

This latest failure is his fourth duck in this very tournament (Asia Cup 2025) alone, further underlining a deeply troubled streak.

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The Context & The Record

With his sixth duck of the year, Ayub has now matched Zimbabwean Richard Ngarava’s 2024 mark of six ducks in T20 internationals.
In just 20 T20I matches in 2025, this is a staggering rate of failure at the crease.

In the current Asia Cup series, he has been dismissed without scoring in matches versus Oman, India, UAE, and now Bangladesh.
Against Bangladesh, he fell cheaply — a three-ball duck, undone by a delivery from Mahedi Hasan.

Adding to the concern: over six innings in the tournament, he’s scored a paltry 23 runs total, averaging 3.83.

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Why This Matters

• Psychological pressure: For a young player touted as a future star, repeated failures sap confidence.
• Top-order instability: If your opener misfires repeatedly, it disrupts the entire batting strategy.
• Selection risk: The management may soon consider replacing him, especially with upcoming series where stable starts are crucial.
• Statistical scar: Tied to this unwanted record, Ayub now has nine ducks in his T20I career — second only to Umar Akmal (10) among Pakistani batsmen.

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A Glimmer in the Grey?

Despite batting woes, Ayub has shown glimpses in other capacities. Some analysts highlight his occasional utility with off-break bowling — a possible path to reinvention as a batting all-rounder.

But right now, the narrative around him is painful: once celebrated as “Golden Boy,” he is facing public scrutiny for a string of low scores.