Babar Azam returns to domestic red-ball cricket for first time since 2019
Synopsis
Babar Azam has not played domestic red-ball cricket since December 2019 — and his Test average since 2023 tells the story of why that absence matters. Signing for OGDCL in Pakistan's President's Trophy, this return is both a personal form mission and a reflection of a Pakistan cricket system in crisis: ninth in Test rankings, bottom of the WTC table, and knocked out of four straight ICC knockouts.
Key Takeaways
Babar Azam will play for OGDCL in the President's Trophy Grade 1 — his first domestic first-class appearance since December 2019 .
His last domestic red-ball outing was leading Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title over six years ago.
Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022 ; his Test average since 2023 is 30.43 , down 12.55 runs from his career average.
Pakistan are ranked ninth in the ICC Test rankings and are at the bottom of the World Test Championship table.
ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha are also featuring in the same domestic tournament as part of a PCB push for senior players to return to first-class cricket.
Babar was expected to arrive from the UK on 16 September and decide his match availability upon landing.
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to make his first domestic red-ball appearance in seven years, signing as a guest player for Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President's Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament. The move comes as Babar looks to rebuild his form in the longest format after a prolonged slump at Test level.
The Return After Seven Years
Babar's last domestic first-class outing was in December 2019, when he led Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. His absence from the domestic red-ball circuit had drawn sustained criticism, with many observers arguing that a disconnect from first-class cricket had contributed to his dip in Test form. According to reports, Babar was due to arrive back in Pakistan from the United Kingdom on 16 September and was expected to join the OGDCL squad the following day.
Farah, the OGDCL sports head, was quoted as saying: 'Babar will arrive back in Pakistan from the UK on Sept 16 and will join the OGDCL squad the next day. His kit has been ordered. Babar will decide upon his arrival if he plays from the second match or the third match.'
Part of a Broader PCB Push
Babar's participation is part of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s recent drive to get established international players back into domestic first-class cricket. ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is representing KRL in the same tournament, while T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha is turning out for Kingsmen Academy. The initiative signals a structural rethink within Pakistani cricket administration, which has faced pressure to bridge the gap between international and domestic red-ball standards.
Babar's Test Form Under the Microscope
The urgency behind the return is underscored by Babar's numbers. He has not scored a Test century since December 2022, when he struck 161 in a drawn match against New Zealand in Karachi. His Test average since the start of 2023 stands at 30.43 — a significant drop of 12.55 runs below his career average in the format. For a batter long regarded as one of the world's best across formats, the regression has been conspicuous.
Pakistan's Broader Test Crisis
The individual slump mirrors the team's collective struggles. Pakistan are currently ranked ninth in the ICC Test rankings and sit at the bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship (WTC) table — the same position they occupied in the previous WTC cycle. The team has also failed to reach the knockouts of the last four consecutive ICC tournaments. Most starkly, Pakistan were eliminated from the home Champions Trophy in 2025 within five days of its start, losing their first two group matches to New Zealand and India. This return to domestic cricket is as much about rebuilding Pakistan's Test identity as it is about one batter's numbers.
What Happens Next
Babar's match availability — whether from the second or third game of the President's Trophy — will be confirmed once he lands in Pakistan. His performances in the tournament will be closely watched as a barometer for his Test readiness, with Pakistan's next red-ball commitments and ICC obligations looming on the horizon.
Point of View
And that is unlikely to be coincidental. The deeper issue is structural: Pakistan have now finished bottom of two consecutive WTC cycles, suggesting this is a systemic failure rather than a slump by one batter. Babar's return to the President's Trophy is a necessary first step, but a few first-class innings will not fix an ecosystem that has allowed the gap between domestic and international red-ball standards to widen for years.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Babar Azam returning to domestic red-ball cricket?
Babar Azam is returning to domestic red-ball cricket to regain form after a prolonged Test slump. He has not scored a Test century since December 2022 and his Test average since the start of 2023 has dropped to 30.43, some 12.55 runs below his career average.
Which team will Babar Azam play for in the President's Trophy?
Babar has signed as a guest player for Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the President's Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament. He is expected to join the squad on 17 September 2026 after arriving from the UK a day earlier.
When did Babar Azam last play domestic first-class cricket?
Babar's last domestic first-class appearance came in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. That makes this return his first red-ball outing at the domestic level in seven years.
Where does Pakistan stand in the ICC Test rankings and World Test Championship?
Pakistan are currently ranked ninth in the ICC Test rankings and sit at the bottom of the nine-team World Test Championship table — the same position they occupied in the previous WTC cycle. They have also failed to reach the knockouts of their last four ICC tournaments.
Which other Pakistan internationals are playing in the President's Trophy?
ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is representing KRL, and T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha is playing for Kingsmen Academy, as part of the PCB's push for established players to return to domestic first-class cricket.
