Top 5 batsmen with most ducks in ODIs

Records in cricket do play a major role in defying a player’s resume. From most runs to most wickets, fans and players do watch out for this list with a lot of excitement.

Talking about records, there is one infamous record that most players will wish not to be a part of and that is of the players with the most number of ducks in ODI history.

Duck is when a player gets out for zero runs. Getting a duck often hampers a player’s confidence and does raise eyebrows. Very often greats of the game have suffered the duck syndrome where the most difficult thing is to get going. While not a very common sight, still ducks have been recorded every now and then.

Talk about painful and a player who just got out on zero runs will raise his hands in distress to define the exact meaning of pain. Here we talk about five men with most ducks in ODI history.

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#1 Sanath Jayasuriya

The dashing batsman from Sri Lanka is one of the most feared batsmen in the history of the game as he is a dynamic opener who could do serious damage to the opposition. With more than 13,000 runs and some 323 wickets in ODI cricket, Jayasuriya is one of the greatest allrounders of all time.

The devastating batsman from Sri Lanka holds many records but the one with ducks in ODI is where we are focussed on right now. The former Sri Lankan opener is now much more aligned towards politics but Jayasuria's legend is still alive.

Jayasuriya was an explosive batsman who is often credited for revolutionalising the game. His innovative shots and hard striking entertained fans all around but this entertainment came with risk and this risk is getting out pretty cheaply.

Sanath has been a part of 445 ODIs, scoring 28 tons and 68 fifties at an impressive strike-rate. He got out for zero in 34 innings, thus making him the player with most ducks in ODI history. There are many records to Jayasuriya's name and this one joins the list. We ain't sure that Sanath will really boast of this.

#2 Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi

The hitman from Pakistan was one of the most feared batsmen in his days and did hold the record for the fastest ODI hundred until beaten by Corey Anderson from New Zealand and, it is now held by South Africa’s AB de Villiers.

Boom Boom Afridi was a nightmare for bowlers and batsmen worldwide due to his devastating slogging ability and his deadly bowling. As a spinner, Afridi captured 395 wickets in 398 ODIs and scored more than 8000 runs.

It was often believed that if Afridi gets going, the ball will see the boundary ropes every now and then. Of all the records that are held by the former Pakistani skipper, one that does capture our attention is his tally of 30 ducks. He was known as an attacking batsman who would adapt to certain playing that involves a lot of risk-taking and as history suggests, Afridi was suited to such kind of a playing style.

With all that said, Afridi was one of the greatest entertainers of the game and the world misses the boom boom man. With 30 ducks in 398 games, Afridi stands second on the all-time list of players with the most number of ducks in ODI history.

#3 Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram

Probably the greatest fast bowler in ODI history, Wasim Akram was a feared figure who could do wonders with the ball in his hands. A frontline bowler, Wasim was often labelled as the king of swing who grabbed 502 wickets in 356 matches which included an impressive number of six five-wicket hauls.

Wasim was a great bowler and world knows it but the king of swing wasn't bad at batting either and his records strongly support our argument. The former Pakistani skipper despite being a tailender scored close to 4,000 runs that included six half-centuries and a high score of 86*. Akram batted with freedom and this care-free approach might be the reason why Wasim got out for a duck a nasty 28 times.

This number does put Wasim on the list of men with most ducks in one-day international cricket. A record that Wasim won't be too proud of but considering his cricketing moments and milestones, it is fair to say this will not hamper his place in the legend books.

#4 Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene

Possibly the most shocking name on this list, Mahela Jayawardene was technical masterclass who was often credited for Sri Lanka's dominance in the 2000s.

The former Sri Lankan skipper had a glorious career having played 448 ODIs, a career in which he scored more than 12000 runs including 19 centuries and 77 half centuries.

What makes Mahela's inclusion in this list so surprising is his reputation of being one of the most technically sound batsmen of his time. Mahela anchored Sri Lanka's ship on quite a few occasions and was the backbone of the subcontinent giants along with Kumar Sangakkara.

Having been out for nought 28 times in his career, Mahela stands fourth on the all-time list of men with most ducks in ODI history. The former Sri Lankan skipper is part of many appreciable records but this one isn't one of them.

#5 Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan

With 534 wickets in ODIs, Muttiah Muralitharan is a bonafide legend of the game. The Sri Lankan spin wizard is probably the greatest off-spinner the world has ever seen and his records speak for themselves. Most wickets, most five-wicket hauls, give Murali the ball and witness magic!

Having played in 350 ODIs, Murali was a veteran performer who had played all around the globe for Sri Lankan. Murali also holds the record for most Test wickets at 800, the only player to ever take 800 Test wickets.

It seems Muttiah Muralitharan is synonymous with the world record, as the Sri Lankan legend is part of one more top-5 list which he won't be too proud of and that is about the men with most ducks in ODI history.

In his historic career, Murali got out for a duck on 25 occasions which makes him one of the top-5 men with most ducks in ODI history. Muralitharan was never much of a batsman but this number of 25 ducks is still eye-catching.