Babar Azam Returns to Domestic First-Class Cricket After Seven Years to Regain Test Form

Pakistan batter and Test captain Babar Azam is set to return to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years as he looks to regain his form in the longer format of the game.

Babar has been signed as a guest player by Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) for the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade 1 tournament. According to reports, the Pakistan Test captain had requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to place him in a domestic squad so he could remain in touch with first-class cricket.

The move comes amid growing concerns over Babar’s recent Test form. He has not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he made 161 against New Zealand in Karachi.

Since the beginning of 2023, Babar has averaged just 30.43 in Test cricket, significantly below his career average. He has managed only eight half-centuries in 39 innings during this period, including an 18-innings stretch in which he failed to score more than 41.

His highest score since his last Test century is 88, which came in Pakistan’s victory over the West Indies in the second Test of their tour last month. The win was Pakistan’s first away Test victory since July 2023 and ended a run of eight consecutive overseas Test defeats.

Domestic Cricket Return

Babar has largely stayed away from domestic first-class cricket in recent years. His last appearance came in 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to victory over Northern in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final.

That season, Babar played only two domestic first-class matches, with Pakistan also touring Australia and hosting Sri Lanka. In fact, since 2015, he had featured in more than one domestic first-class match in only one season.

His return comes at a time when several Pakistan internationals have opted to play in the President’s Trophy. Among the most notable names are fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and all-rounder Salman Agha.

The PCB has also introduced minimum domestic first-class match requirements for centrally contracted players. Category A players are required to play at least six first-class matches annually, while Category AB players must feature in at least four. White-ball specialists in Category BC are required to play at least two.

Pressure Mounts on Babar

Babar's prolonged struggle with the bat has become one of the biggest talking points in Pakistan cricket. Former cricketers and analysts have regularly scrutinised his technique, particularly his struggles against short-pitched bowling.

Pakistan’s recent Test tour of England further intensified the debate after the team suffered a 3-0 series defeat. England’s fast bowlers repeatedly targeted Babar with short deliveries during the series. He missed the opening Test at Headingley because of injury.

Pakistan’s disappointing results have also increased calls for leading international players to participate more regularly in domestic cricket and work on their game in demanding first-class conditions.

The national team currently sits ninth in the ICC Test rankings and bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship standings. Pakistan also failed to reach the knockout stages of the last four ICC tournaments.

OGDCL Receive Major Boost

Babar’s arrival is expected to provide a significant boost to OGDCL, who struggled in the opening round of the President’s Trophy.

The team faced Pakistan Television (PTV) in their opening match, which began on September 12. At the end of the third day, OGDCL were trailing by 132 runs with three wickets down while following on.

The side was also without regular captain Imam-ul-Haq, who was withdrawn from the squad. According to reports, his absence was linked to his failure to appear for a scheduled fitness test.

OGDCL were relegated last season after finishing at the bottom of the eight-team President’s Trophy table. However, they returned to the competition after the PCB removed WAPDA and Sahir Associates for failing to meet the regulations for the current season.

Kingsmen Academy also benefited from the PCB’s decision and earned a place in the first-class competition after initially missing qualification following their defeat to Markhor IT Solutions (MITS) in the President’s Trophy Grade-II Gold final.

Aamer Jamal Joins MITS

Meanwhile, Pakistan fast-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal has joined first-class debutants Markhor IT Solutions as a guest player.

Jamal is expected to feature in MITS’ second-round match against Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi. He represented SNGPL last season and also played for Lahore Whites in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Jamal was among seven players sent home early from England by the PCB following Pakistan’s Test series defeat. However, he had not played in either of the first two Tests.

MITS endured a difficult opening round against Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy. After conceding a huge total of 565 for seven declared, powered by Salman Agha’s unbeaten 300, MITS were forced to follow on after being dismissed for 330.

They finished the third day on 203 for five in their second innings, still trailing by 32 runs.

Babar’s return to first-class cricket therefore comes at a crucial stage for both the player and Pakistan cricket. With Test performances under increasing scrutiny, the domestic tournament will provide the star batter with an opportunity to spend more time at the crease and rebuild confidence ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming international commitments.