In T20 cricket, every ball counts. But sometimes, even star players walk back without scoring—that’s called a duck in cricket. In the thrilling world of the Pakistan Super League, even big names have faced this fate. From top batters to seasoned PSL all-rounders, no one is immune to the pressure of high-stakes games. This blog dives deep into the most ducks in PSL history, uncovering surprising stats, patterns, and notable moments. Whether it’s a stunning delivery or a mistimed shot, a duck can change the game. Join us as we break down who’s had the most, when it happened, and why it matters in PSL records.
Notable Ducks in PSL 2024 Season
In PSL 2024, several big names had forgettable innings. One surprising stat was Babar Azam’s duck during a key Rawalpindi cricket match. The elegant right-hander played a poor shot and was caught by a short cover fielder, leaving fans stunned. It was rare, but it showed that even the tournament’s highest run-scorer can fall for zero.
Another shock came when Peshawar Zalmi’s poor start against Quetta Gladiators led to three top-order batsmen getting out without scoring. Quetta Gladiators win that match by a huge margin, with 216 runs scored by Quetta and 136 all out by Zalmi, leading to an 80-run defeat.
Which PSL Team Has the Most Ducks?
Some teams have had more bad luck with ducks than others. Over the years, Karachi Kings have recorded the third most ducks in PSL history. This includes many early dismissals in both PSL openers and knockout matches. Teams like Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United also have poor records when it comes to losing wickets cheaply.
Here is a table showing total ducks by each team till PSL 2025:
| Team | Total Ducks |
| Karachi Kings | 75 |
| Lahore Qalandars | 68 |
| Peshawar Zalmi | 64 |
| Islamabad United | 61 |
| Quetta Gladiators | 59 |
| Multan Sultans | 54 |
Ducks by Batting Position—Any Patterns?
In the PSL match report data, most ducks happen at the top and bottom of the batting order. Openers face the new ball and are often dismissed early. Lower-order players aren’t trained batters, so they fall quickly too. Many PSL batting failures have come from poor shot selection and pressure.
For example, PSL all-rounders like Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim often come in during tough situations. They try to hit big shots immediately and sometimes get caught for zero. This creates a PSL batting collapse and gives the bowlers a huge edge.
Players With Consecutive Ducks in PSL
Consecutive ducks hurt a player’s form and confidence. Some PSL player stats show famous players with long dry spells. Imad Wasim – 12 ducks and Wahab Riaz – 10 ducks have had matches where they failed multiple times in a row.
Even Kamran Akmal—8 – 8 ducks had a tough patch in 2019. He got out without scoring in back-to-back games. These streaks often lead to fans calling for replacements and players getting dropped. In T20 cricket, one bad week can end a season.
Most Ducks in Pakistan Super League History by Captains
Leading a team is tough, especially when your own bat goes silent. Babar Azam, one of the best PSL top performers, has only a few ducks, but one came during his time as captain. Others, like Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim, have more frequent failures while leading.
Being both a leader and a batter can be stressful. Captains are expected to guide the team, but multiple failures can shake morale. The table below shows PSL captain records for most ducks:
| Captain | Ducks |
| Imad Wasim | 12 |
| Wahab Riaz | 10 |
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | 6 |
| Babar Azam | 3 |
Comparison With Other T20 Leagues (IPL, BBL)
When we compare PSL records to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League (BBL), we notice a trend. Ducks happen more often in leagues where fast bowlers dominate. PSL bowling records show that bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi—7 ducks— have terrorized batters.
In IPL, players lke Rohit Sharma have also faced ducks, but the PSL has a slightly higher duck rate. This is because the pitches in Pakistan offer more bounce and seam. These conditions lead to early wickets and low scores in many games.
Fan Reactions & Social Media Moments About Ducks
PSL 2025 highlights were full of moments where fans reacted to players getting out for zero. Twitter exploded when Babar Azam’s duck happened. Memes, jokes, and emotional comments filled the timeline.
YouTube channels and Instagram pages posted clips like “Top Five Players with Most Ducks” and even mock awards for “Golden Duck Kings.” Fans from the USA also joined in, especially Pakistani-Americans who follow the league closely.
One fan from Houston posted: “Even legends fall. Babar’s duck doesn’t erase his greatness.“
Conclusion – Do Ducks Define a Player’s Legacy?
A duck in cricket is just a number. What matters more is how a player bounces back. Players like Kamran Akmal, Imad Wasim, and Wahab Riaz have faced setbacks but also won games for their teams.
In PSL history, ducks happen to even the best. The real test is consistency and recovery. As we look forward to more matches and PSL 2025 drama, let’s not judge a player only by their worst day. Instead, celebrate their full journey.
FAQ’s
Who has the most ducks in PSL history?
Imad Wasim – 12 ducks holds the record for the most ducks in PSL. He has been dismissed without scoring more than any other player in the league.
Which team has players with the most ducks in PSL?
Karachi Kings have several players with the most ducks in PSL. Their top order has often collapsed under pressure during key matches in various seasons.
Did any captain get the most ducks in PSL?
Yes, Wahab Riaz – 10 ducks is among captains with the most ducks in PSL. His aggressive style hasn’t always worked well under high pressure.
Has Babar Azam ever scored a duck in PSL?
Yes, there has been a Babar Azam duck moment in a Rawalpindi cricket match. Even the PSL highest run-scorer has fallen early in some tough games.
Do middle-order batters have the most ducks in PSL?
Many middle-order players have the most ducks in PSL due to poor match situations. They often enter during PSL batting collapse and struggle to survive quality bowling.
