Babar Azam’s return to first-class cricket after a seven-year absence culminated in a brief and unsatisfactory performance on Day 3 of the ongoing match between Khan Research Laboratories and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited on Saturday, September 26. In the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, the 31-year-old was dismissed for a mere 12 runs while playing for his team.
Before being caught by Abdul Faseeh off a bouncer from Arshad Iqbal, Babar confronted 20 deliveries, struck two boundaries, and scored at a strike rate of 60.00. After his dismissal, OGDCL was in dire straits, as they were 46-4 in the first inning and were in pursuit of KRL’s total of 398.
This was one of the most closely watched fixtures of the President’s Trophy Grade-I season, as Babar Azam had not appeared in domestic first-class cricket since December 2019. Having not had the opportunity to bat on either of the first two days of the contest, he arrived at the crease on the third day.
What was the method by which Babar Azam was terminated upon his return?
Abdul Faseeh captured Babar Azam in the field when he attempted to play a short-pitched delivery from Arshad Iqbal, resulting in the end of his innings. A batter who had been absent from the domestic first-class circuit for nearly seven years was accounted for by the bouncer.
Babar Azam is GONE! 🔥
7 years of waiting to play First Class cricket again… and he’s out for just 12 runs off 20 balls! 😭
Arshad Iqbal is ON FIRE!🔥 https://t.co/hECRwFiBG7
— Humais khan (@Humireacts) September 26, 2026
Arshad Iqbal was the most dangerous bowler for KRL during OGDCL’s first innings, claiming three of the four wickets that fell by the time the score reached 46. KRL was firmly in control of the match following his spell, and OGDCL was faced with a challenging task to avoid the follow-on against a team that had scored 398 in their first innings.
What was the atmosphere at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium?
The match was marked by a significant amount of public interest due to Babar Azam presence at the venue. The magnitude of the attention his domestic return garnered across Pakistan was exemplified by the scene in which fans rushed onto the pitch during play to greet him.
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His most recent first-class appearance for a domestic team was in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in December 2019. This President’s Trophy fixture was distinguished from a typical third-round contest by the seven-year absence from that format. The occasion was of obvious importance due to Babar Azam extended absence from Pakistan’s domestic first-class stage, despite the brevity of his innings and the challenging position it placed OGDCL in.
