Babar Azam’s Disappointing Start in President’s Trophy Grade-I
ABBOTTABAD: Babar Azam’s first-class comeback began with a 12-run dismissal as OGDCL were forced to follow on against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The 31-year-old faced 20 balls before fast bowler Arshad Iqbal accounted for him with a short delivery. Babar attempted to take on the bouncer but could not make a meaningful contribution in his first competitive red-ball outing in seven years.
The 12-run dismissal marked Babar’s disappointing start in President’s Trophy Grade-I after his from first-class cricket. His return came as he was looking for more time in the longer format following a prolonged struggle for runs in Test cricket.
KRL had earlier made 398 in their first innings, with OGDCL managing only 217 in reply. Arshad was the standout bowler, taking five wickets for 55 runs, while Mohammad Hammad Khan top-scored for OGDCL with an unbeaten 56.
Rohail Nazir added 48 and Danish Aziz scored 40, but OGDCL fell 181 runs behind KRL and were asked to bat again. Babar will therefore have another opportunity to spend time at the crease in the second innings.
The Pakistan Test captain had not played first-class cricket since representing Central Punjab, whom he led to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. His return to the format was aimed at providing valuable red-ball practice after limited success in Test cricket in recent years.
Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022 and has averaged 30.43 in the format since the start of 2023. He has also recorded only eight half-centuries in his last 39 Test innings, making his return to domestic cricket an opportunity to rebuild his batting rhythm.
His first innings, however, lasted less than half an hour and ended before he could settle against the KRL attack.
