1 hr ago
Babar Azam Returns to Domestic Cricket Seeking Test Form
Babar Azam is a famous Pakistani cricket player.
He will play domestic first-class cricket again after last doing so in 2019.
He will represent Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, or OGDCL.
He is returning to help improve his batting form.
Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022.
His recent Test average is lower than his career average.
Pakistan is currently ninth in the Test rankings.
Other Pakistani international players are also playing in the domestic tournament.
Babar Azam will return to Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket with OGDCL.
His last domestic red-ball appearance was in December 2019 for Central Punjab.
He will join the OGDCL squad after returning from the UK on September 16.
The move follows criticism of his limited domestic red-ball participation and recent Test form.
Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022, while Pakistan ranks ninth in Tests.
- Who
- Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam, who will represent Oil and Gas Development Company Limited.
- What
- Babar is returning to domestic red-ball cricket in the President’s Trophy Grade 1 tournament.
- Where
- The matches are part of Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket competition.
- When
- He is expected to join OGDCL after returning from the UK on September 16, with a possible debut in the second or third match.
- Why
- He is seeking to regain form amid recent Test struggles and a push by the Pakistan Cricket Board for established players to play domestic cricket.
Key facts
- Team
- Oil and Gas Development Company Limited
- Tournament
- President’s Trophy Grade 1
- Last domestic appearance
- December 2019, when Babar led Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title
- Last Test century
- 161 against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022
- Recent Test average
- 30.43 since the start of 2023
- Pakistan’s Test ranking
- Ninth in the International Cricket Council rankings
- Arrival date
- September 16, followed by an expected OGDCL joining date of September 17
Quotes
Farah
Sports head of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited
“His kit has been ordered. Babar will decide upon his arrival if he plays from the second match or the third match.”
thehansindia.com
“Babar will arrive back in Pakistan from the UK on Sept 16 and will join the OGDCL squad the next day”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Babar Azam Ruled Out of England Test; Salman Leads Pakistan
Babar Azam Set to Return for Pakistan’s Lord’s Test
Babar Azam Scores Fifty, Test Century Wait Continues
Babar Azam Fever Adds to Pakistan’s Edgbaston Test Troubles
Babar Azam Reaches Double Figures as Pakistan Fight England
Rashid Latif Calls Babar Azam a Dummy Captain
Sent Home from UK Tour, Salman Agha Answers with 300*
Pakistan Cricket Veterans Blast PCB After England Test Whitewash
Mohammad Asif Calls Rizwan Finished, Labels Salman Management’s Favorite
Salman Ali Agha Hits Unbeaten Triple Century After Pakistan Setback
