In a challenging opening day for Bangladesh at the Kanpur Test against India, opener Zakir Hasan found himself on the wrong side of history. Despite showing initial patience, Zakir could not open his account, facing 24 deliveries before being dismissed without scoring. This rare feat now places him in Bangladesh's record books for the most balls faced by an opener in Test cricket without scoring.

Zakir’s innings began with cautious optimism as he carefully left several deliveries from India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. However, it was the pace of Akash Deep that ended his stay, as Zakir attempted an ill-judged shot that led to a catch in the slips. After spending 39 minutes at the crease, his 24-ball duck not only disappointed fans but also etched his name in the record books for an unusual reason.

Zakir’s unfortunate dismissal overtakes a list of unwanted records in Bangladesh cricket. While the record for the most balls faced without scoring in Bangladesh’s history still belongs to Manjurul Islam, who faced 41 balls against Sri Lanka in 2002, Zakir now holds the record for the longest duck by an opener.

In that Colombo Test, Manjurul batted at number 10 and supported Tapash Baisya during a 43-run partnership, facing 41 deliveries before being dismissed by Sanath Jayasuriya. Other notable ducks in Bangladesh cricket include Rajin Saleh, who faced 29 deliveries before falling to Muttiah Muralitharan in a Test match in Kandy in 2007, and Aftab Ahmed’s 25-ball duck against New Zealand in 2008.

Zakir’s record-breaking duck has even surpassed that of former cricketer Athar Ali Khan, who faced 22 balls without scoring in a One Day International against India at Wankhede Stadium. If only Test cricket is considered, Zakir’s 24-ball duck now ranks just above Imrul Kayes’ 16-ball duck against Zimbabwe.

However, on the global stage, New Zealand’s Darrin Murray holds the unfortunate record for the most balls faced without scoring in Test cricket. In a 1995 Test against Sri Lanka, Murray batted for 57 minutes and faced 39 balls before being dismissed by Chaminda Vaas.