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Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique had a forgettable ODI series against South Africa, failing to score a single run across the three matches. The 25-year-old batsman recorded three consecutive ducks, an unwanted milestone in his international career.
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Dismissals That Marked a Series to Forget
- 1st ODI (Boland Park, Paarl):
Shafique was dismissed by South African all-rounder Marco Jansen for a four-ball duck, bowled through the gate. - 2nd ODI (Newlands, Cape Town):
On a challenging surface, Shafique fell victim to Jansen again, edging a delivery to wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen after facing just two balls. - 3rd ODI (Wanderers, Johannesburg):
Facing Kagiso Rabada, Shafique’s struggles continued as he edged his very first ball to Aiden Markram at second slip, registering a golden duck.
Unwanted Record
Shafique’s three successive ducks place him among a group of players who have endured similar struggles, including cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and modern stars like Suryakumar Yadav.
While he hasn’t yet equaled the record of four consecutive ODI ducks, held by players like Lasith Malinga, Craig White, and Henry Olonga, another scoreless innings would put him in that category.
Impact on Pakistan’s Performance
Despite Shafique’s failures, Pakistan’s cricket team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, had already secured the three-match series by winning the first two games. The team aimed for a rare 3-0 whitewash on South African soil, with Babar Azam stepping up early in the final ODI to stabilize the innings following Shafique’s dismissal.
What’s Next for Abdullah Shafique?
Shafique’s struggles in South Africa may raise questions about his form and place in Pakistan’s ODI setup. Known for his talent and potential, the opener will look to regroup and address his shortcomings before future assignments.
As cricket history has shown, even the greatest players have faced setbacks. It will be interesting to see how Abdullah Shafique bounces back from this challenging phase in his career.
