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Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka Sets Unwanted T20I Record for Most Ducks

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka has set an unwanted record by becoming the batter with the most ducks in T20 International cricket. His first-ball dismissal against Ireland marked his 16th score of zero in the format, surpassing the previous record of 15 held by Rwanda's Zappy Bimenyimana. Despite Shanaka's failure, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 163/6, powered by Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. The record list features players from associate nations like Rwanda and Thailand alongside Test-playing countries.

Key Points: Dasun Shanaka Sets Record for Most T20I Ducks

  • Shanaka scores 16th T20I duck
  • Breaks record held by Rwanda's Bimenyimana
  • Dismissed first ball against Ireland
  • Sri Lanka posts 163/6 despite his failure
2 min read

T20 WC: Sri Lanka's Shanaka sets unwanted record, becomes batter with most zeroes in T20Is

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka now holds the record for most ducks in T20 International cricket after his 16th zero against Ireland.

"This was the 16th zero scored by Shanaka... thus breaking the unwanted record. - Compiled by Manoj Kumar"

Colombo, Feb 8

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka achieved an unwanted record, becoming the batter to score the most zeroes in T20 International when he got out for a duck in their match against Ireland in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Shanaka was out for a first-ball duck when he miscued a swing at a thigh-high full toss on off, but his attempt for a big six skewed for a leading edge which was caught by Mark Adair at short third, taking it perilously close to the ground, despite theball being in the air for a long time, giving him lot of time to get into position. For some time, there were doubts that the ball was aimed too high at the waist and could be a no-ball. But the ball tracker showed it was 16 cm below the waist and thus a legal delivery, and Shanaka had to leave the field.

This was the 16th zero scored by Shanaka, a 34-year-old tailender, in 113 T20I innings, thus breaking the unwanted record held by Zappy Bimenyimana of Rwanda, who has compiled 15 zeroes in 62 matches.

Shanaka thus has most ducks in his kitty in T20I format with Ireland's Paul Stirling in third place with 14 ducks from158 matches, while C. Chatphaisan of Thailand is fourth with 13 zeroes from 52 matches. Among the Test playing nations, Bangladesh's Soumya Sarkar is in joint=third place with 13 zeroes and shares the spot with two players from Rwanda besides Thailand's Chatphaisan.

Though Shanaka failed to tickle the scorers, co-hosts Sri Lanka rode on an unbeaten 56 by wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and a vital 44 by Kaminduu Mendis to post 163/6 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first by Ireland in their first match of the 2026 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Most ducks in T20 Internationals

Ducks Batter Innings Team

16 Dasun Shanaka 113 Sri Lanka

15 Zappy Bimenyimana 62 RWN

14 Paul Stirling 158 Ireland

13 C. Chatphaisan 52 THA

13 K Irakoze 56 RWN

13 M Akayezu 79 RWN

13 Soumya Sarkar 86 Bangladesh

Compiled by Manoj Kumar

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Oof, that's a record no batter wants! 16 ducks in 113 innings... that's quite a stat. Feel for him, but cricket can be cruel sometimes. At least Sri Lanka posted a competitive score. Hope he bounces back in the next match! 🏏
A
Aman W
Interesting to see the list is dominated by associate nations, but Shanaka tops it all. As an Indian fan, it just shows how important consistency is at the international level. Our players like Kohli and Rohit have set such high standards.
S
Sarah B
The description of the dismissal is painful to read. Miscuing a full toss for a duck when your team needs you... that's harsh. The no-ball doubt must have added to the frustration. Cricket is a game of fine margins.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, maybe it's time for Sri Lanka to think about leadership? A captain holding this record isn't ideal for team morale. The Mendis duo saved them this time, but they can't always do that. Tough questions need to be asked.
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Nisha Z
Yaar, imagine your name forever in the record books for this! 😅 But in all seriousness, he's a tailender, so some leeway is there. The real surprise is Paul Stirling with 14 ducks in 158 matches – he's a proper opener!

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