Batsmen with most number of ducks in ODI cricket

Every batsman when stepping on to the field only has one aim – to score as many runs as possible and put his team in a winning position. But cricket is a game of great uncertainty and even for the greatest of players; it is not possible to put up a big score on the board in every single innings. The biggest let down for a batsman undoubtedly is the disappointment of getting out with a duck to their name. Here we take a look at the 5 batsmen who have the most ducks to their name in ODI cricket.

Sanath Jayasuriya

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One of the biggest legends of Sri Lankan cricket, opener Sanath Jayasuriya played some of the most breathtaking strokes at the top of the order. But he holds the unwanted distinction of being the batsman with the most ducks in ODI history – 34. 10 out of these were golden ducks where he was dismissed off the first delivery which he faced. In his 11-year long career, he scored 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries, scoring 13,340 runs.

Shahid Afridi

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During his prime, Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi was one of the most feared batters in world cricket. But his tendency to try the audacious landed him in trouble many times, with 30 ducks to his name. On 13 occasions, he was dismissed off the first delivery itself. But there was no denying his explosive hitting ablity as he scored the fastest ODI century in the second match which he played, in only 37 deliveries. This record stood for a long time till AB de Villiers eventually broke it by scoring a century in 31 balls.

Mahela Jayawardene

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The former Sri Lankan captain was elegance personified, with his silky smooth strokeplay. But like every great batsman, he was susceptible in the early part of his innings, often looking tentative. In the 448 ODI matches he played, Jayawardene was dismissed for a duck 28 times, with 5 of them being golden ducks. In a remarkable career, he scored 12,650 runs with 19 centuries and 77 half centuries.

Wasim Akram

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Being one of the most feared pacers in the history of the game, his batting was often an underrated aspect of his game for Wasim Akram. He holds the record of being dismissed for the most number of golden ducks – 15. Overall, he was dismissed for a duck 28 times in his career.

Lasith Malinga

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Not particularly known for his batting skills, Lasith Malinga has been dismissed for a duck 25 times in his career. 13 of those have been golden ducks. Despite not being one of the more refined batters Malinga will take solace in the fact that he has established his legacy as one of the greatest limited overs format bowlers of all-time.