ABBOTTABAD, 26 September, 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam endured a disappointing return to first-class cricket, scoring just 12 runs in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Babar returned to first-class cricket after a seven-year gap, having last played the format for the now-defunct Central Punjab, whom he led to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. His comeback innings against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) lasted only 20 balls before fast bowler Arshad Iqbal dismissed him with a bouncer. Babar attempted to attack the short delivery but was unable to make a significant contribution in his first competitive red-ball appearance in seven years. His return to domestic first-class cricket was aimed at gaining valuable match practice in the longer format amid a prolonged struggle for runs in Test cricket. Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022 and has averaged 30.43 in Test cricket since the beginning of 2023, with only eight half-centuries in his last 39 innings. His early dismissal has therefore extended the wait for a substantial score as he looks to regain confidence and rhythm in red-ball cricket.