Babar Azam set for first domestic First-Class match since 2019 after PCB shake-up

Babar Azam will appear for the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited. | Photo Credit: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) stunning decision to send back seven members from the Test tour of England appears to have rattled the top players with current Test captain, Babar Azam, set to make an appearance in a domestic First-Class match for the first time since 2019.

Azam is lined up to represent the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) team against Kingsmen Academy in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I competition from September 18.

Azam, who last appeared for Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, has returned home from England ready for the coming challenge.

OGDCL sports head Farah Batool said the PCB had sent Babar’s name to be included as a guest player.

“Babar’s kit has been ordered and he will decide whether to play in the match from 18th September or from September 24th in the third round game,” Batool said.

Azam is not the only centrally contracted player appearing in domestic red ball cricket following the disastrous tour to England.

Others like fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf have hardly play any First-Class matches at home, but have already appeared for different teams in the President’s Cup this season.

Rauf, in fact, after taking a five-wicket haul for PTV, expressed his desire to play for Pakistan in red-ball cricket in the current season.

The fast bowler has appeared in only one Test against England back in 2022 in which he was injured after bowling 13 overs.

“If I can be useful for Pakistan because of my pace I would gladly play Test cricket,” he said.

Rauf, ironically, had refused to play the Test series in Australia in December 2023, insisting he wanted to manage his heavy workload. Known more for his T20 appearances, Rauf even had his central contract suspended for a while before it was restored.

Afridi has appeared for the KRL side, taking four wickets in an innings.