Indian left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma joined the list of unwanted batsmen after enduring a disappointing outing, falling to a four-ball duck during a high-voltage ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The top-ranked T20I batsman, who got a duck in India’s first match of the campaign against the United States of America (USA) before missing the subsequent group stage match against Namibia due to illness, was once again included in the playing XI for the high-octane clash.
Sharma, however, made a forgettable comeback when he was killed by a four-ball duck, falling victim to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha in the first over.
Consequently, he joined an unwelcome list of Indian openers who took a duck against traditional rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cups, led by their head coach Gautam Gambhir, who suffered the result twice in the 2007 and 2012 editions.
The list also includes India’s World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma, who was caught lbw for a golden duck by left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi during the traditional rivals’ encounter in the T20 World Cup 2021.
Indian openers to get a duck against Pakistan in T20 World Cups
- Gautam Gambhir – zero (three) in 2007
- Gautam Gambhir – zero (two) in 2012
- Rohit Sharma – zero (one) in 2021
- Abhishek Sharma – zero (four) in 2026.
Meanwhile, Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat after amassing just 114 before being bowled out in 18 overs.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first did not prove beneficial for the Green Shirts as the Men in Blue amassed 175/7 in their 20 overs.
