Pakistan’s red‑ball captain Babar Azam was bowled for just 12 runs in his first domestic appearance in seven years, representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at the Abbottabad Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The innings, which formed part of the Quaid-e‑Azam Trophy’s early‑season fixtures, saw Babar open the batting in the first innings and fall early in the second, after a brief 15‑ball stay at the crease. His dismissal came after a defensive shot to the leg‑side was caught behind, ending his comeback with a modest total that left OGDL trailing by 28 runs at the close of the day's play.
Babar’s return to the Pakistani domestic circuit had been eagerly awaited since his last first‑class outing in 2019, when he stepped away to focus on international duties and a packed schedule of overseas leagues. The seven‑year gap made his appearance a symbolic boost for the domestic structure, which the Pakistan Cricket Board has been overhauling to produce more competitive cricket and a deeper talent pool. Analysts noted that his presence alone raised the profile of the match, drawing larger crowds to the historic Abbottabad venue.
Despite the low score, the innings offered a glimpse of the challenges Babar may face ahead of the upcoming Test series against England and the home T20 World Cup qualifiers. Coaches emphasized that a brief domestic spell is intended to give him match‑practice in local conditions, rather than to assess his form in isolation. Former players pointed out that many of Pakistan’s greats, including Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul‑Haq, used similar domestic stints to recalibrate before major international assignments.
The match itself continued with KRL posting a solid first‑innings total of 312, while OGDCL managed 287, leaving the home side with a 25‑run lead. In the second innings, KRL’s bowlers exploited the early morning seam, restricting OGDCL to 184, and securing a 99‑run victory. Babar’s short cameo was the most talked‑about moment, but the overall result underscored the competitive balance within the tournament and the rising standards among departmental teams.
Local fans and cricket pundits alike will watch closely how Babar leverages this brief domestic exposure to fine‑tune his technique, especially against swing and seam in sub‑continental conditions. His performance in the coming weeks could shape selection debates and influence the strategic direction of Pakistan’s Test and limited‑overs squads as the nation prepares for a busy international calendar.