🏏 Babar Azam Equals Shahid Afridi’s Unwanted T20I Record Full Cricketory Breakdown & Future Impact 😟🔥
The cricketing world listened in disbelief when Babar Azam, Pakistan’s modern batting icon and former captain, walked back to the pavilion on zero — his 8th duck in T20 internationals.
One delivery from Corbin Bosch… and the Rawalpindi Stadium fell silent.
This wasn’t just a dismissal.
It was a statistical shock.
One that tied Babar Azam with Shahid Afridi for an unwanted record — most ducks in Pakistan’s T20I history.
And suddenly, everyone from fans to experts asked the same question:
👉 Has Babar Azam entered the most challenging phase of his T20I career?
Today on Cricketory, we dive deep into the numbers, the pressure, the future — and the reality Pakistan must now face.
📊 Most T20I Ducks for Pakistan Updated Rankings 🦆
| Rank | Player | Ducks | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Umar Akmal | 10 | 84 |
| 2️⃣ | Saim Ayub | 9 | 49 |
| 3️⃣ | Babar Azam | 8 | 110 |
| 3️⃣ | Shahid Afridi | 8 | 99 |
| 4️⃣ | Kamran Akmal | 7 | 58 |
| 4️⃣ | Mohammad Hafeez | 7 | 119 |
📝 These stats show two things clearly:
✔ Wristy aggressors like Saim and Afridi take risks — ducks expected
❌ But Babar? His role is the stable backbone of Pakistan’s batting
So every duck from him hurts double.
😱 A Shocking Return to T20Is
📍 Venue: Rawalpindi
📅 Match: Pakistan vs South Africa — 1st T20I
🎯 Situation: Pakistan chasing 195
Pakistan had already lost Sahibzada Farhan…
And then 👇
Bosch runs in…
Babar misses a length ball…
Straight to Hendricks at slip…
Gone for 0 (2).
Powerplay disaster confirmed.
The stadium reaction?
“Not Babar again…”
Not anger.
Not blame.
Just pure heartbreak.
🔍 Why Is Babar Struggling in T20Is? — Cricketory Exclusive Analysis
Pakistan’s “King” has:
✅ Elegant technique
✅ Consistency across formats
✅ Brilliant record in ODIs
But the T20 game is evolving faster than his adaptability.
Here are the 5 biggest issues:
1️⃣ ⏱ Slow Powerplay Strike Rate
In modern T20 cricket, teams aim 50–60 runs in first 6 overs.
Babar’s approach often results in:
- Dot balls pressure
- Extra responsibility on partner
- Bowlers targeting him with attacking fields
2️⃣ 🧩 Role Confusion
Anchor or aggressor?
Pakistan has still not decided for him.
If he anchors:
➡ Pakistan falls behind rate
If he attacks early:
➡ High risk… ducks increase
Lose-lose situation.
3️⃣ 💥 Growing Weakness Against Hard Length Pace
Opponents have decoded him:
Pitch at 6–8 meter length
Keep tight off-stump line
Field set for inside edge or catch
And he falls — frequently.
4️⃣ 🧠 Captaincy Hangover
He may not be captain now…
But pressure remains:
- Leadership expectations
- Media comparison with Kohli
- Public wanting “match-winning” knock every series
5️⃣ ⚡ Team Dependence
If Babar fails → Pakistan collapses
Opposition knows it → Attacks early
Pressure cycle continues
📌 When Did This Problem Really Start?
After T20 World Cup 2022:
- Teams switched to aggressive openers everywhere
- Pakistan stuck with classical structure
- Powerplay failures increased
- Babar’s dismissal options multiplied
In last 15 T20I innings:
- 🦆 Ducks: 4
- SR under 125: 7 innings
👉 This is pattern, not coincidence.
🧨 The Weight of Comparisons — Kohli vs Babar
Social media has turned a friendly rivalry into a war:
| Player | T20I Strike Rate | Ducks | Profitable Powerplays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 137 | 6 | ✅ Excellent |
| Babar Azam | 129 | 8 | ❌ Major issue |
Fans forget:
- Kohli attacks spin like a beast
- Babar struggles to rotate strike on turning wickets
Different strengths
Different eras
Different pressures
Yet — same expectations.
🇵🇰 Impact on Pakistan Cricket — Deeper Trouble Ahead?
Pakistan’s batting depends on:
- Babar
- Rizwan
- One lucky cameo
If Babar falls early:
❌ Middle order panics
❌ No plan B
❌ Collapse becomes tradition
We saw EXACTLY that vs South Africa:
📉 Loss by 55 runs at home
📉 Fans leaving early
📉 Confidence shattered
🧪 Should Pakistan Drop Babar to No. 3?
(Cricketory Suggested Strategy)
Why it works:
✅ More balls faced against spin
✅ He can start slower without powerplay damage
✅ Frees Pakistan to try explosive opener
Possible top 3:
1️⃣ Saim Ayub — Attacker
2️⃣ Sahibzada Farhan / Fakhar Zaman
3️⃣ Babar Azam — Controller + Finisher
Bench Babar?
Never.
But re-assign his role — urgently.
🦁 Babar Azam’s Mental Strength — The Hope Pakistan Needs
Here’s what separates legends from players:
They break records…
Then break unwanted ones…
And still come back stronger 💪
✔ Kohli had his dip
✔ Williamson had his low patches
✔ Rohit was once dropped from India’s XI
Great players always climb back.
Babar has:
🔥 Hunger
🔥 Pride
🔥 Technical base
🔥 Fan support
He is far from finished.
📣 Cricketory Verdict — Decline or Just a Bump?
✅ Short-term crisis
✅ Long-term legend still rising
Pakistan must protect him — not punish him.
One duck doesn't erase 10 years of excellence.
This record hurts.
But it might become the fire that reignites Babar’s T20 glory.
We predict:
🎯 Babar will finish 2026 as Pakistan’s:
✔ Highest T20 scorer
✔ Top 3 run-getters in upcoming World Cup
Mark our words:
The comeback is loading.
🧠 Cricketory Insights: What Pakistan MUST Fix Fast
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Powerplay stagnation | Open with two fearless hitters |
| Over-dependence on Babar | Strengthen roles for 4,5,6 |
| No creative batting plan | Hybrid aggressive templates |
| Panic after first wicket | Clear rotation strategy |
| Media pressure on stars | Back the players consistently |
👉 If Pakistan evolves, Babar thrives.
👉 If Pakistan stays stuck, Babar suffers.
❓ FAQs — Fans Want Answers 🔥
1️⃣ Is Babar Azam declining as a T20 batter?
A: No — he is struggling due to role confusion and team strategy.
With better batting positions, he will succeed again.
2️⃣ Will Babar get dropped?
A: Very unlikely. His class and experience are too important for Pakistan.
3️⃣ Why does Babar get caught early often?
A: Teams have decoded his weakness against hard-length deliveries in powerplays.
4️⃣ Can he still play T20 World Cup 2026?
A: Absolutely. And he could be a top performer if used smartly.
5️⃣ Who should open if Babar moves to No. 3?
A: Saim Ayub + Farhan/Fakhar — high-risk high-reward combination.
✅ Final Line — Bold But True
Babar Azam is not finished.
This is the beginning of a better version of him.
The world will soon be reminded —
why he is called KING BABAR. 👑