Asia Cup: Saim Ayub does a Babar Azam with golden duck against India

Saim Ayub became only the second Pakistani opener to be dismissed for a golden duck against India in T20Is, following Babar Azam. This occurred during the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan chose to bat first in the high-stakes encounter, but Ayub was dismissed for a golden duck after facing just one delivery. Hardik Pandya began with an inswinger down the leg side, followed by an outswinger. Ayub, chasing the ball on the rise, skied it straight to Jasprit Bumrah at point.

It was a tough start for Ayub, who didn’t have time to settle in. His dismissal echoed Babar Azam’s golden duck from the 2022 T20 World Cup at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, when Babar was trapped LBW by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh off his first ball. Notably, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are absent from the current Pakistan squad.

Saim Ayub struggling in Asia Cup

Ayub has found himself in a sticky patch, bagging back-to-back golden ducks—a tough pill to swallow for any batsman. After previously falling for a golden duck against Oman, Ayub's struggle at the crease continued in a nail-biting moment that had fans and commentators on edge.

IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025 Updates

Ayub faced a delivery from Shah Faisal aimed at the middle and leg stumps. He attempted an ambitious pick-up shot but was off-balance and played all over the ball. The ball kept low and struck his back leg, leading to an immediate LBW appeal.

The umpire quickly gave him out, a decision that seemed harsh given the close call. Ayub consulted with his teammate and chose to review the decision. The technology showed the ball hitting the middle stump with no bat contact, confirming the out.

Ayub hasn’t had the best of times in T20Is, having scored 816 runs from 43 matches at an average of 20.92 with a top score of 98 not out against South Africa last year at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.