Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam’s much-awaited return to first-class cricket turned into a disappointing outing. Babar Azam failed to make a big impact in his red-ball comeback and finished with only 16 runs across both innings at Abbottabad.
The star batter was playing for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. A large number of local fans had arrived to watch Babar, but they were left only frustrated. Amid this, Sohail Khan makes controversial claim on ex-Pakistan coach.
Babar Azam’s flop show continues in domestic cricket
Babar Azam returned to first-class cricket after almost seven years. However, the 31-year-old could manage only 12 runs in the first innings. He faced just 20 balls before KRL fast bowler Arshad Iqbal dismissed him with a short-pitched delivery.
The early dismissal was a big disappointment for fans who were expecting a strong comeback from the experienced batter and his team, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), in the President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
Babar Azam falls for just 4 in second innings
Fans at Abbottabad were hoping Babar would make up for his first-innings failure in the second innings. But the Pakistan captain has once again left everyone disappointed.
After Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) enforced the follow-on, Babar returned to bat under pressure, and he could manage only four runs when the star all-rounder Faheem Ashraf trapped him LBW. Amid this, Wasim Akram takes dig at PSL over its length and quality.
Babar’s dismissal silenced the packed Abbottabad Cricket Stadium because they were expecting a big innings from the star batter as he failed to score in both innings in the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
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Razaullah’s six no-balls raise eyebrows
However, Pakistan’s young fast bowler Razaullah continued his form for the OGDCL in the President’s Trophy Grade-I match against KRL. The 21-year-old grabbed two wickets, but he bowled six no-balls during his spell against the Khan Research Laboratories.
Razaullah bowled 26 overs, giving away 104 runs at an economy rate of four, including four maiden overs. He recently impressed everyone on his Test debut against England at Edgbaston. He dismissed Joe Root and Emilio Gay before finishing the first innings with four wickets for 148 runs.
The young pacer also surprised everyone with his batting, as he smashed 81 runs off just 63 balls, including nine sixes, to help Pakistan fight back. Interestingly, he did not bowl a single no-ball in that Test, so his six no-balls in the President’s Trophy Grade-I match left everyone stunned.
India-Pakistan face-off scenario revealed for Asian Games 2026
India and Pakistan will begin their Asian Games 2026 men’s campaigns directly from the quarterfinals. Both teams earned direct entry based on their ICC Men’s T20I rankings, along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The remaining six teams will compete for the other four quarterfinal spots.
India will face the Group A runners-up from Afghanistan, Nepal, and Japan. On the other hand, Pakistan will take on the Group B runners-up from Malaysia, Oman, and Hong Kong, China.
India and Pakistan cannot meet in the semifinals, as they are on opposite sides of the knockout draw. They can clash only in the gold-medal final or bronze-medal match at the Asian Games 2026.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
