Pakistan test captain Babar Azam has opted to return to domestic first-class cricket in a determined bid to rediscover his form with the bat following a thoroughly disappointing red-ball tour of England. The star batsman struggled immensely on English soil, registering sub-par scores of 8, 6, and 7 across his first three innings before offering brief resistance in the final Test at Edgbaston.
Seeking to sharpen his technique away from the intense glare of the international arena, Babar has signed as a guest player for Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President’s Trophy Grade-One tournament. This marks his first appearance in Pakistan’s domestic first-class setup in nearly seven years, having last featured for Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy back in December 2019.
The move aligns with a broader initiative by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) encouraging established national team members to participate in domestic long-format competitions. A host of high-profile international players are featuring in the current President’s Cup edition, including ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi representing KRL and T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha playing for Kingsmen Academy.
Farah, head of OGDCL’s sports division, confirmed that Babar is scheduled to land in Pakistan from the UK on 16 September, with his playing kit already prepared. While his arrival is set, the exact fixture for his return remains fluid; Babar will decide upon landing whether to feature in OGDCL’s second match or wait until the third round.
The context behind this decision stems from a prolonged slump in Test cricket. Babar has not recorded a Test century since December 2022, when he struck a brilliant 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. Since the start of 2023, his Test average stands at a modest 30.43—a notable drop of 12.55 runs below his overall career average.
His dip in form mirrored Pakistan’s collective struggles in England, where the side suffered a historic 3-0 series whitewash. Heavily outplayed in the opening two Tests at Leeds and Lord’s, the visitors lacked the resilience required to build substantial partnerships. Though Pakistan displayed greater grit at Edgbaston, the overall tour highlighted deep structural issues within the top order.
Returning to four-day cricket provides Babar a crucial platform to spend time at the crease, face the shiny red ball, and rebuild his innings-building discipline. Given his role as the focal point of the national batting lineup, Pakistan’s management will be watching closely, hoping this domestic spell helps their premier batsman regain the authority that previously defined his game.