Babar Azam set for domestic first-class return after seven years

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to make his long-awaited return to domestic first-class cricket, following instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for leading national players to participate in the domestic competition.

Babar is expected to represent OGDCL in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, marking his first appearance in Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket since December 2019.

The return will bring one of Pakistan’s biggest cricket stars back into the domestic arena after nearly seven years, with the move expected to give him valuable red-ball preparation ahead of future international assignments.

According to sources, Babar will represent OGDCL in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after completing the necessary arrangements following his return to Pakistan.

The first round of the tournament is currently underway, while the second round is scheduled to begin on September 18.

Babar last played a first-class match in Pakistan in December 2019, when he represented Central Punjab. Since then, his international career has expanded significantly, with the batter becoming one of Pakistan’s most prominent figures across all three formats.

His return to domestic cricket comes at a time when the PCB is placing greater emphasis on regular first-class cricket for centrally contracted and national-team players.

The board has directed players to take part in domestic red-ball cricket as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s first-class structure and ensure that leading players remain accustomed to the demands of longer-format cricket.

Babar’s participation could provide a major boost to the President’s Trophy, while also giving the Test captain an opportunity to spend more time at the crease in domestic conditions.

The decision is particularly significant given Babar’s role as Pakistan’s Test captain. Regular first-class cricket can provide valuable match practice, particularly for batters preparing for demanding Test assignments.

Babar is not the only high-profile Pakistan player returning to domestic first-class cricket.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is also featuring in first-class cricket after a lengthy absence. Other prominent players, including Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha, are also participating in the President’s Trophy.

The PCB’s policy reflects an effort to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket by encouraging senior players to remain involved in the country’s premier red-ball competition.

For Babar, however, the return carries an additional significance. His last domestic first-class appearance came at a very different stage of his career, before he established himself as Pakistan’s leading batter and became a central figure in the national side.

His expected appearance for OGDCL could therefore offer fans a rare opportunity to watch the Test captain back in domestic action.

With the second round beginning on September 18, attention will now turn to whether Babar takes the field and how he performs on his much-anticipated return to Pakistan’s first-class circuit.