Abdullah Shafique equalled an unwanted world record when he was dismissed for a golden duck in Pakistan's final ODI against South Africa today, his third duck in the three-match series.
Shafique was on strike to Kagiso Rabada on the second ball of the match in Johannesburg, Saim Ayub having taken a single off the first ball. Poking at a ball angling into the off stump, the ball caught the splice of Shafique's bat and ricochetted to Aiden Markram in the slip cordon. Shafique had to walk off for a golden duck - his first in the format.
It caps off a terrible series for Shafique. Having played all three matches in the series, he failed to score a single run, out for a duck in every innings. He was bowled by Marco Jansen in the opening game facing his fourth ball at the crease, and was caught behind again off Jansen in the second match, this time only managing to see out one previous ball. Despite his non-existent returns, Pakistan went into the final game leading the series 2-0.
The run of ducks has given Shafique an unwanted record. Along with Suryakumar Yadav, he now boasts the most ducks in a three-match bilateral men's ODI series. Suryakumar picked up the record last year when he was out for ducks in every innings of India's post-World Cup series against Australia.
No player has ever been out for more than three ducks in a men's bilateral ODI series of any length. There are, however, 14 players who have been dismissed for the three ducks in a series. Among their number are Martin Guptill, Mark Boucher and Shoaib Malik.
In contrast to his opening partner's dismal series, Saim Ayub has enjoyed a remarkable run of form. He scored his second ODI century in the opening game before recording his third in the final match. He has now equalled Shahid Afridi and Salman Butt for the most ODI centuries scored by Pakistan players before turning 23.
Full list: Most ducks in a men's bilateral ODI series
| Player | Ducks in series | Matches in series | Team | Opposition | Year |
| Abdullah Shafique | 3 | 3 | Pakistan | South Africa | 2024 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | 3 | 3 | India | Australia | 2023 |
| Malcolm Waller | 3 | 5 | Zimbabwe | Afghanistan | 2015 |
| Martin Guptill | 3 | 7 | New Zealand | Sri Lanka | 2015 |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | 3 | 5 | Sri Lanka | England | 2014 |
| Lasith Malinga | 3 | 5 | Sri Lanka | Pakistan | 2013 |
| Brendan Taylor | 3 | 5 | Zimbabwe | India | 2013 |
| Morne Morkel | 3 | 5 | South Africa | Sri Lanka | 2013 |
| Brett Lee | 3 | 6 | Australia | England | 2009 |
| Tawanda Mupariwa | 3 | 5 | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka | 2008 |
| Tinashe Panyangara | 3 | 5 | Zimbabwe | Sri Lanka | 2004 |
| Mark Boucher | 3 | 6 | South Africa | New Zealand | 2004 |
| Shoaib Malik | 3 | 5 | Pakistan | New Zealand | 2004 |
| Adam Parore | 3 | 5 | New Zealand | Pakistan | 2001 |
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