Babar Azam Returns to Domestic Cricket After 7-Year Hiatus

Sep 15, 2026

84 min

Sep 15, 2026 10:31

Babar Azam returns to domestic cricket after 7 years

## Babar Azam's Domestic Comeback

Pakistan's Test captain, Babar Azam, is set to make a return to domestic cricket after a seven-year absence. He will participate in the President’s Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament, representing the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) as a guest player.

## Aiming to Regain Form

Following Pakistan's recent 3-0 series loss to England and a subsequent drop in the ICC Test rankings, Babar is keen to regain his form. His performance in the recent series was inconsistent, with a notable 76 in the final Test but struggles against short-pitched deliveries.

## PCB's Support

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) facilitated Babar's inclusion in the domestic tournament to help him stay connected with the longer format of the game. His last domestic appearance was in December 2019 when he led Central Punjab to victory in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

## Joining Fellow Internationals

Babar joins other Pakistani internationals in the President's Trophy, including ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha. The PCB is encouraging top players to participate in domestic cricket to prepare for upcoming international series.

## Recent Performance Concerns

Babar has faced criticism for his absence from domestic red-ball cricket and has not scored a Test century since December 2022. His Test average since 2023 has dropped, with only eight half-centuries in 39 innings. Despite some recent improvements, converting starts into big scores remains a challenge.

## Looking Ahead

Fans hope that participation in domestic cricket will help Babar and other players prepare for future series against Sri Lanka and England. His return is anticipated to boost both his form and the overall competitiveness of the domestic tournament.

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