Harare( The COW News Digital)New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has joined cricketing greats Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in an unfortunate list by equaling an unwanted record in T20 International cricket.
In the recent T20I match against South Africa held in Harare, Neesham was dismissed for a duck (0) — marking the seventh time in his T20I career that he has failed to open his account. This places him alongside 42 other batters who share this dubious milestone.
The list of players with seven T20I ducks includes some high-profile names such as India’s Virat Kohli, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, and England’s Jason Roy. While these players are celebrated for their remarkable records and match-winning performances, their presence in this less flattering list serves as a reminder of the uncertainties of T20 cricket.
Jimmy Neesham, known for his power-hitting and utility as an all-rounder, had a forgettable outing with the bat in what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller. Despite his duck, New Zealand managed to hold their ground in the match, but the focus quickly shifted to Neesham’s statistical tie with cricket’s elite in this unusual category.
Meanwhile, the record for most ducks in T20 Internationals is held by Rwanda’s Zappy Bimenyimana and Kevin Irakoze, Bangladesh’s Soumya Sarkar, Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, and Ireland’s Paul Stirling, all of whom have been dismissed for zero 13 times in T20Is.
The volatility of the shortest format of the game often brings top-tier batters under scrutiny, as even the best can falter under pressure. Analysts argue that the growing competitiveness and unpredictability in T20 cricket contribute to even elite batsmen ending up with disappointing scores.
Despite the unwanted record, Neesham remains a crucial part of the New Zealand lineup, particularly valued for his finishing abilities and flexibility as a bowler.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, both Neesham and fans will hope this duck is just a blip, not a trend.
