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Babar Azam Set for First Domestic First-Class Match Since 2019
Babar Azam may soon play a domestic first-class cricket match in Pakistan.
He has not played this type of match since 2019.
He is expected to represent the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited team.
His opponents are Kingsmen Academy in the President’s Trophy Grade-I competition.
The match may begin on September 18, but Babar could wait until September 24.
Other famous players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, have also played domestic red-ball cricket.
This happened after Pakistan had a difficult Test tour of England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board made major changes to the touring squad and coaching staff.
The board reportedly wants Babar playing domestic cricket soon, while he will decide when to appear.
Babar Azam is lined up to play for OGDCL against Kingsmen Academy in the President’s Trophy Grade-I competition.
The match could be held from September 18, although Babar may instead play in the September 24 third-round game.
It would be Babar’s first domestic first-class appearance since representing Central Punjab in 2019.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have also recently appeared in domestic red-ball cricket.
The developments follow Pakistan’s 0-3 Test-series loss in England and the PCB’s decision to change seven squad members and dismiss two coaches.
- Who
- Babar Azam, along with other centrally contracted players including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
- What
- Babar is set to return to domestic first-class cricket for the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited team.
- Where
- In Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Grade-I competition.
- When
- The match is scheduled from September 18, with a possible alternative appearance on September 24.
- Why
- The return follows Pakistan’s difficult England tour and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s squad and coaching changes.
Pakistan Cricket Board’s Push
Players’ Availability and Choice
Timing of Babar’s appearance
Pakistan Cricket Board’s Push
A source said the Pakistan Cricket Board wanted Babar to play domestic first-class cricket as soon as possible.
Players’ Availability and Choice
Babar will decide whether to play in the September 18 match or wait for the September 24 fixture.
Return to red-ball cricket
Pakistan Cricket Board’s Push
The PCB’s domestic plans are bringing centrally contracted players back into first-class cricket after the England tour.
Players’ Availability and Choice
Players have differing histories with red-ball cricket: Haris Rauf has cited workload concerns, while Babar has not played a domestic first-class match since 2019.
Haris Rauf’s Test ambitions
Pakistan Cricket Board’s Push
Haris said he would gladly play Test cricket if his pace could help Pakistan.
Players’ Availability and Choice
He previously declined Pakistan’s Test series in Australia in December 2023, saying he wanted to manage his workload.
Key facts
- Expected team
- Oil and Gas Development Company Limited
- Opponent
- Kingsmen Academy
- Competition
- President’s Trophy Grade-I
- Possible dates
- September 18 or September 24
- Last domestic first-class match
- Babar last played for Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2019.
- England Test result
- Pakistan lost the series 0-3.
- Other players involved
- Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have appeared in domestic red-ball matches.
Quotes
Farah Batool
Sports head of OGDCL
“Babar’s kit has been ordered and he will decide whether to play in the match from 18th September or from September 24th in the third round game”
theprint.in
“If I can be useful for Pakistan because of my pace I would gladly play Test cricket”
theprint.in
Sources
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