Babar Azam’s long-awaited return to Pakistan’s domestic red-ball cricket ended with a short innings as he was dismissed for just 12 runs while representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in Abbottabad.
The Pakistan Test captain returned to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years. His last appearance in the domestic red-ball competition came in December 2019, when he led Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title.
Babar featured for OGDCL in the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. KRL had posted 398 runs in their first innings before OGDCL began their reply.
Babar faced 20 deliveries and scored 12 runs, including two boundaries. He was dismissed by KRL fast bowler Arshad Iqbal after attempting to play a short-pitched delivery, with Abdul Faseeh taking the catch.
His dismissal left OGDCL struggling at 46 for four, with Arshad Iqbal taking three of the team’s first four wickets. Babar’s return had attracted considerable attention, with a large number of fans gathering at the Abbottabad venue to watch the Pakistan star play domestic cricket again.
The four-day President’s Trophy Grade-I match between OGDCL and KRL is being played from September 24 to 27 in Abbottabad.
