Babar Azam falls for 12 on first-class return as Arshad Iqbal takes five; Abdullah Fazal hits unbeaten 309

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam’s long-awaited return to first-class cricket ended quickly on Saturday, as Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) fast bowler Arshad Iqbal claimed five wickets to force Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to follow on in the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I.

On the same day, left-handed opener Abdullah Fazal struck an unbeaten triple century in Islamabad, the second-fastest in the history of Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

Babar’s brief stay

Playing a first-class match for the first time in nearly seven years, Babar made 12 off 20 balls at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, hitting two boundaries before Arshad ended what had looked like a promising start.

Arshad finished with figures of 5-55 from 16 overs, including four maidens. It was the right-arm pacer’s third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, taking him to 97 wickets in 26 matches. Ahmed Bashir and Iftikhar Ahmed took two wickets each in support.

OGDCL were bowled out for 217 in 63.1 overs in reply to KRL’s 398. Mohammad Hammad Khan was unbeaten on 56, captain Rohail Nazir made 48 and Danish Aziz 40.

Earlier, KRL had resumed on 377 for eight and were all out for 398 in 117.3 overs, with Sarmad Bhatti finishing on 136. Mohammad Hasnain took three for 96 for OGDCL.

Following on, OGDCL’s openers Waqar Ahmed (17 not out) and Ali Zaryab (12 not out) survived the final 10 overs to reach 34 without loss, still 147 runs behind.

Abdullah Fazal’s record-breaking day

At the National Ground in Islamabad, Abdullah Fazal dominated for State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) against Ghani Glass, making 309 not out from 339 balls with 29 fours and 11 sixes. It was the second-fastest triple century ever scored in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

He shared an opening partnership of 417 with Hasan Raza, who made 222, a stand that ranks as the third-highest in Pakistan’s first-class history. SBP declared at 638 for five, a lead of 316, and Ghani Glass closed on 125 for two, with captain Mohsin Riaz unbeaten on 69.

Around the grounds

• Peshawar: At the Imran Khan Stadium, Markhor IT Solutions (MIT) left-arm spinner Khalid Usman took 6-64, his 19th first-class five-wicket haul, as SNGPL were dismissed for 233 in reply to MIT’s 434. Omair Bin Yousuf top-scored for SNGPL with 61. MIT closed on 33 for one in their second innings, leading by 234.
• Diamond Cricket Ground: Test batter Saud Shakeel scored his 24th first-class hundred, making exactly 100 off 147 balls, as Kingsmen Academy declared on 568 for eight against Pakistan Television (PTV). Mohammad Huraira made 165. PTV closed on 62 for two, still 151 runs behind.

What it means

For Babar, one short innings says little. His return to the first-class game is significant in itself: as Test captain, time in the middle in the longer format matters, and there will be more chances in the rounds ahead. Selectors will be more interested in how he builds over the coming weeks than in a single dismissal.

For the domestic game, the day was a reminder of the depth in Pakistan’s first-class system. Arshad Iqbal, closing in on 100 first-class wickets, is building a strong case as a fast-bowling option, while Abdullah Fazal’s triple century and Saud Shakeel’s hundred show there are runs to be found for batters in form.

What’s next

OGDCL will resume their second innings needing to bat long to save the match against KRL, while SBP will push for victory against Ghani Glass after their huge first-innings lead. The Indus Compass will follow Babar’s progress through the rest of the President’s Trophy. Elsewhere in Pakistan sport, the squash team won two bronze medals at the Asian Games.

This article draws on reporting published by Dawn.