Has Sri Lanka's Shanaka Set a Record for Most Zeroes in T20Is?
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka has set an unwanted record by scoring the highest number of zeroes in T20 Internationals. With a duck against Ireland in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Shanaka surpasses previous record holders. What does this mean for his career and Sri Lanka's cricketing future?
Key Takeaways
Dasun Shanaka becomes the player with the most zeroes in T20 Internationals.
Shanaka recorded his 16th duck during the match against Ireland.
The previous record was held by Zappy Bimenyimana with 15 zeroes.
Sri Lanka scored 163/6 in their first match of the tournament.
The impact of this record on Shanaka's career remains to be seen.
Colombo, Feb 8 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's captain Dasun Shanaka has unfortunately made history by becoming the player with the highest number of zeroes in T20 Internationals. This record was set when he was dismissed for a duck during the match against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
Shanaka was out on the very first ball, misjudging a swing at a thigh-high full toss. His attempt to hit a big six resulted in a leading edge that was caught by Mark Adair at short third, despite the ball's prolonged flight, allowing ample time for positioning. There were initial concerns regarding the delivery being a potential no-ball, but the ball tracker confirmed it was 16 cm below the waist, validating the legality of the delivery, leading to Shanaka's exit.
This marked the 16th duck for Shanaka, a 34-year-old tailender, in 113 T20I innings, surpassing the previous record of 15 zeroes held by Zappy Bimenyimana from Rwanda, who achieved this in 62 matches.
Shanaka is now the leading player in T20 Internationals with the most ducks, while Paul Stirling from Ireland follows with 14 ducks in 158 matches, and C. Chatphaisan from Thailand is fourth with 13 ducks in 52 matches. Among Test-playing nations, Soumya Sarkar from Bangladesh shares a joint-third position with 13 zeroes alongside two players from Rwanda and Thailand's Chatphaisan.
Despite Shanaka's performance, co-hosts Sri Lanka managed to secure a total of 163/6 in 20 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 56 from wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis and a critical 44 from Kamindu Mendis after being asked to bat first by Ireland in their opening match of the 2026 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
Point of View
It is imperative to approach this record with a balanced perspective. While Dasun Shanaka's achievement of the most zeroes in T20 Internationals may appear negative, it also highlights the challenges faced by players in this competitive format. We must remember that sports are about ups and downs, and Shanaka's leadership will be crucial for Sri Lanka moving forward.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Dasun Shanaka set?
Dasun Shanaka set the record for the most zeroes in T20 Internationals, achieving his 16th duck in the format.
How many ducks does Shanaka have?
Shanaka has a total of 16 ducks in 113 T20I innings.
Who held the previous record for most zeroes?
The previous record was held by Zappy Bimenyimana of Rwanda with 15 ducks.
Which team did Sri Lanka play against?
Sri Lanka played against Ireland in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
What was Sri Lanka's total score in the match?
Sri Lanka posted a total score of 163/6 in 20 overs.
