Babar Azam is set to play domestic first-class cricket for the first time since 2019. The player will be seen on the domestic pitch after seven long years. This comes after Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series whitewash against England and amid ongoing concerns over his form in the longest format.
According to a report by The Dawn, Babar will feature for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL). He is expected to return to Pakistan from the UK on September 16 and join the squad the following day. OGDCL’s sports head Farah Batool confirmed to The Dawn that his kit has already been ordered, though it remains unclear whether he will play the second or third match of the competition.
Babar Azam to return to Domestic cricket after seven years as Pakistan slumps in WTC
Babar’s last domestic red-ball appearance came in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. Since then, he has struggled for consistency in Tests, averaging just 22, 20 and 31 across the 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years.
Babar has not scored a Test century in four years amid Pakistan’s declining form. The Pakistan Cricket Board has been encouraging senior internationals to participate in domestic first-class cricket.
White-ball captains Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Ali Agha are also featuring in the same tournament. Babar’s return offers him a chance to rebuild his rhythm in red-ball cricket away from international pressure, at a time when both his personal form and Pakistan’s Test performances remain under scrutiny.
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