Babar Azam Returns To Domestic Cricket After Seven Years
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has returned to domestic first class cricket after an absence of almost seven years.
He is representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President’s Trophy Grade I, marking his first domestic red ball appearance since December 2019.
Babar’s comeback began on September 24, 2026, when OGDCL faced Khan Research Laboratories at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The four day match is part of the tournament’s third round, which runs from September 24 to 27.
Babar’s return follows a request he made to the Pakistan Cricket Board to facilitate his participation in domestic first class cricket. The PCB subsequently arranged for him to join OGDCL as a guest player.
The move gives the batter an opportunity to spend more time in the longer format outside international fixtures. Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he made 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.
Babar is part of a wider group of established Pakistan players appearing in the President’s Trophy Grade I.
The PCB has brought several international cricketers into departmental teams during the tournament, adding experience to the domestic competition.
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is representing KRL, while players including Naseem Shah, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Aamir Jamal have also joined different teams during the tournament. Several Pakistan Under 19 players are participating as well.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has returned to domestic first class cricket after an absence of almost seven years.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has returned to domestic first class cricket after an absence of almost seven years.
He is representing Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President’s Trophy Grade I, marking his first domestic red ball appearance since December 2019.
Babar’s comeback began on September 24, 2026, when OGDCL faced Khan Research Laboratories at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The four day match is part of the tournament’s third round, which runs from September 24 to 27.
Babar’s return follows a request he made to the Pakistan Cricket Board to facilitate his participation in domestic first class cricket. The PCB subsequently arranged for him to join OGDCL as a guest player.
The move gives the batter an opportunity to spend more time in the longer format outside international fixtures. Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he made 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.
Babar is part of a wider group of established Pakistan players appearing in the President’s Trophy Grade I.
The PCB has brought several international cricketers into departmental teams during the tournament, adding experience to the domestic competition.
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is representing KRL, while players including Naseem Shah, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Aamir Jamal have also joined different teams during the tournament. Several Pakistan Under 19 players are participating as well.
