Babar Azam furious after controversial dismissal in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan batting star Babar Azam was left visibly frustrated after a controversial caught-behind decision cut short his innings during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QeAT) Gold 2026-27 match between Lahore Region Whites and FATA Region on Wednesday.

The incident took place on the second day of the four-day fixture at Diamond Cricket Ground, where Babar was representing Lahore Region Whites in his return to domestic first-class cricket.

Facing the final delivery of the 28th over, the right-handed batter appeared to leave a delivery from FATA’s Afaq Afridi. Wicketkeeper Rehan Afridi collected the ball behind the stumps, prompting an immediate appeal from the bowler for a caught-behind dismissal.

The on-field umpire raised his finger, sending the former Pakistan captain back to the pavilion.

However, Babar appeared unconvinced by the decision and expressed his displeasure, gesturing towards his thigh pad as if indicating that the ball had made contact with his pad rather than his bat.

Despite his visible frustration, the 32-year-old eventually accepted the decision and walked off the field.

Babar scored 28 runs from 40 deliveries, striking six boundaries during his brief stay at the crease. His dismissal quickly attracted attention on social media, where cricket followers questioned the umpiring decision and raised concerns about the quality of the available match footage.

A video of the incident circulated online, with some viewers arguing that there appeared to be no clear contact between the ball and the bat. The decision also sparked criticism of the standard of umpiring in Pakistan’s premier first-class competition.

The controversy comes at a crucial stage in Babar’s career as he looks to regain consistency and confidence through domestic cricket.

His return to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy followed a disappointing campaign in the recently concluded ODI tri-series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka.

Babar managed 118 runs in five matches at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21. His scores included 45, 34, 10 and 29 before he was dismissed for a duck against Sri Lanka in the final.

The former Pakistan captain failed to register a half-century throughout the tournament, increasing scrutiny over his recent batting form.

His participation in first-class cricket is expected to provide an opportunity to rebuild confidence and regain his rhythm. However, Wednesday’s controversial dismissal ensured that his return to domestic cricket became a talking point for reasons beyond his batting performance.