Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to return to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years away from the format. He is expected to represent Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I.
Babar’s last domestic first-class appearance came in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. He has since spent most of his career playing international cricket and franchise competitions.
Babar is set to join OGDCL during the President’s Trophy Grade-I, Pakistan’s ongoing four-day first-class competition. The tournament features eight departmental teams and runs from September 12 through October 28.
His inclusion follows the PCB’s broader push to give centrally contracted and national players more opportunities to compete in domestic cricket.
The board introduced the guest-player concept for the departmental season to increase playing opportunities for national-pool cricketers. The President’s Trophy has already featured several established Pakistan players.
Babar’s return gives him an opportunity to spend extended periods at the crease and work on his red-ball game in domestic conditions. His participation also adds international experience to a tournament designed to provide regular first-class cricket for Pakistan’s leading domestic players.
The move comes as Pakistan continues its Test schedule following the team’s recent three-Test series against England. Regular domestic cricket can provide national players with additional opportunities to build match rhythm between international assignments.
For Babar, the President’s Trophy represents a return to the first-class environment he last experienced in 2019.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to return to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years away from the format.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to return to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years away from the format. He is expected to represent Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I.
Babar’s last domestic first-class appearance came in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. He has since spent most of his career playing international cricket and franchise competitions.
Babar is set to join OGDCL during the President’s Trophy Grade-I, Pakistan’s ongoing four-day first-class competition. The tournament features eight departmental teams and runs from September 12 through October 28.
His inclusion follows the PCB’s broader push to give centrally contracted and national players more opportunities to compete in domestic cricket.
The board introduced the guest-player concept for the departmental season to increase playing opportunities for national-pool cricketers. The President’s Trophy has already featured several established Pakistan players.
Babar’s return gives him an opportunity to spend extended periods at the crease and work on his red-ball game in domestic conditions. His participation also adds international experience to a tournament designed to provide regular first-class cricket for Pakistan’s leading domestic players.
The move comes as Pakistan continues its Test schedule following the team’s recent three-Test series against England. Regular domestic cricket can provide national players with additional opportunities to build match rhythm between international assignments.
For Babar, the President’s Trophy represents a return to the first-class environment he last experienced in 2019.
