Babar Azam’s Disappointing First-Class Return After 7 Years, Scores 12 and 4
Zeeshan Mehtab
Published September 27, 2026 | 02:57 PM
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam’s return to first-class cricket after a 7-year hiatus proved disappointing, as he was dismissed for just 12 and 4 runs in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
Representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Babar faced only 20 deliveries against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). Fast bowler Arshad Iqbal dismissed him with a bouncer. Babar attempted to play a shot against the short delivery but failed to score significantly.
In the second innings, Babar Azam delivered another poor performance, facing 12 balls before being dismissed leg before wicket for 4 runs by Faheem Ashraf.
Babar Azam had last played a first-class match 7 years ago, when he won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title.
Test captain Babar Azam has not scored a century in Test cricket since December 2022. Since the start of 2023, his Test batting average has been 30.43, with only 8 half-centuries in his last 39 innings.
Expectations were high for a major innings from Babar Azam following his return to first-class cricket. However, his early dismissal in the opening match has extended the wait for a big innings.