Babar Azam set for domestic First-Class return, to play President’s Trophy

Babar Azam hasn’t scored a Test century since 2022. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Babar Azam is set to return to domestic First-Class cricket after he requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to put him in a squad for the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade 1 tournament.

According to reports, the Pakistan Test captain will turn up for Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), marking his return to the domestic FC cricket after seven years since he last played for Central Punjab in 2019.

Babar has been in a poor form in red-ball cricket with his last Test century coming in 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi. Since 2023, he’s averaging 30.43 in the format. Over this period, Babar’s best score is 88 that came against West Indies last month.

Apart from Babar, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Agha are also participating in the President’s Trophy.

Pakistan lost to England 0-3 in away Test series and is currently struggling at the bottom of the World Test Championship points table.