Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Babar Azam Returns to Domestic Cricket Amid Test Form Struggles
Babar Azam is a famous Pakistani cricket player.
He will play first-class cricket for OGDCL, an organization team.
This is his first domestic red-ball match since 2019.
Babar asked to play because he wants more practice in the longer format of cricket.
He has not scored a Test century since December 2022.
His Test batting average since the start of 2023 is 30.43.
Many former players and cricket experts have discussed his recent problems.
Pakistan is currently ninth in the Test rankings, so the team is also trying to improve.
Babar Azam will represent Oil & Gas Development Company Limited as a guest player in Pakistan’s President’s Trophy Grade 1 tournament.
The Pakistan Test captain is returning to domestic first-class cricket for the first time since leading Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title in December 2019.
Babar is expected to return from the UK on September 16 and join OGDCL the following day, with his debut possible in the second or third match.
He requested domestic cricket participation to stay connected with the longer format and improve his game after prolonged Test struggles.
Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022, averages 30.43 since the start of 2023, and Pakistan is ranked ninth in Tests.
- Who
- Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam, representing Oil & Gas Development Company Limited as a guest player.
- What
- He is returning to domestic first-class cricket in the President’s Trophy Grade 1 tournament.
- When
- He is expected to return from the UK on September 16 and join OGDCL on September 17; he may play in the second or third match.
- Where
- The competition is being played in Pakistan’s domestic first-class cricket circuit.
- Why
- Babar requested the move to stay in touch with longer-format cricket and work on his batting amid continuing Test-form concerns.
Supporters of Domestic Cricket
Critics of Babar’s Form
Returning to first-class cricket
Supporters of Domestic Cricket
Babar’s participation gives him more opportunities to practice red-ball cricket and was arranged after he requested the PCB’s assistance.
Critics of Babar’s Form
Critics have questioned why he largely stayed away from domestic first-class cricket during his prolonged Test struggles.
Assessment of his batting
Supporters of Domestic Cricket
Babar has recorded four half-centuries in his last five Tests, suggesting some recent improvement despite the absence of a century.
Critics of Babar’s Form
He has not converted promising starts into large scores, has not made a Test century since December 2022, and his recent average is 30.43.
Wider Pakistan cricket concerns
Supporters of Domestic Cricket
The PCB is encouraging established internationals to participate in domestic cricket as part of efforts to strengthen red-ball performance.
Critics of Babar’s Form
Pakistan’s ninth-place Test ranking, bottom position in the nine-team World Test Championship table, and recent tournament results have intensified scrutiny of its leading players.
- Team
- Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL)
- 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
- Test average since 2023
- 30.43, more than 12 runs below his career average
- Pakistan Test ranking
- Ninth in the ICC rankings
- Expected arrival
- Babar is expected back from the UK on September 16 and with OGDCL on September 17
