ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam made an unsuccessful return to first-class cricket on Saturday, scoring 12 before Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) pacer Arshad Iqbal claimed a five-wicket haul to put Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) under pressure in the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I.

Babar returned to the longer format after nearly seven years and faced 20 deliveries, hitting two boundaries before Arshad ended his innings.

Arshad finished with figures of 5-55 from 16 overs, including four maidens, recording his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. The performance took his career tally to 97 wickets from 26 matches.

KRL had posted 398 after being dismissed in 117.3 overs. Sarmad Bhatti top-scored with 136 as KRL added 21 runs to their overnight total of 377 for eight.

In reply, OGDCL were bowled out for 217 in 63.1 overs, forcing them to follow on. Mohammad Hammad Khan remained unbeaten on 56, while Rohail Nazir scored 48 and Danish Aziz contributed 40.

Ahmed Bashir and Iftikhar Ahmed took two wickets each for KRL, while Mohammad Hasnain returned figures of 3-96 for OGDCL.

Following on, OGDCL openers Waqar Ahmed and Ali Zaryab survived the remaining 10 overs to take their side to 34 without loss at stumps. Waqar was unbeaten on 17 and Zaryab on 12, leaving OGDCL 147 runs behind overall.

Abdullah Fazal hits unbeaten triple century

At the National Ground in Islamabad, State Bank of Pakistan dominated Ghani Glass as left-handed opener Abdullah Fazal smashed an unbeaten triple century.

Abdullah scored 309 not out from 339 balls, hitting 29 fours and 11 sixes. His innings was reported as the second-fastest triple century in Pakistan domestic first-class cricket.

He shared a massive 417-run opening partnership with Hasan Raza, who scored 222. The stand was the third-highest opening partnership in Pakistan’s first-class history.

State Bank declared their innings at 638 for five, securing a 316-run first-innings lead. Ghani Glass reached 125 for two by stumps, with captain Mohsin Riaz unbeaten on 69.

Khalid Usman claims 19th five-wicket haul

At Imran Khan Stadium in Peshawar, Markhor IT Solutions left-arm spinner Khalid Usman recorded his 19th first-class five-wicket haul as Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) were dismissed for 233.

Khalid returned impressive figures of 6-64 as SNGPL struggled in reply to Markhor IT Solutions’ first-innings total of 434.

Omair Bin Yousuf was the leading scorer for SNGPL with 61.

Markhor IT Solutions reached 33 for one in their second innings by stumps and held an overall lead of 234 runs.

Saud Shakeel scores 24th first-class century

At the Diamond Cricket Ground, Test batter Saud Shakeel scored his 24th first-class century as Kingsmen Academy posted 568 for eight declared against Pakistan Television (PTV).

Saud made 100 from 147 balls, while Mohammad Huraira produced a major contribution with 165.

Kingsmen Academy secured a 213-run first-innings lead before PTV reached 62 for two at stumps, leaving them 151 runs behind.

The third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I continued to produce strong individual performances, with centuries, a triple century and multiple five-wicket hauls highlighting the domestic first-class action.