Babar Azam Returns to Domestic Cricket After 7 Years Amid Test Struggles
Babar Azam is set to return to Pakistan’s domestic red-ball cricket for the first time since 2019 following a difficult run in Test cricket.
Babar Azam is set to return to Pakistan’s domestic red-ball cricket for the first time in nearly seven years, with his comeback coming amid growing scrutiny over his Test form and Pakistan’s recent struggles in the World Test Championship.
Babar last played domestic first-class cricket in 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. He is now expected to join Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I competition after returning from the UK on September 16.
OGDCL’s sports head confirmed that Babar will join the squad on September 17, although he could feature in either the team’s second match against Kingsmen Academy or its third fixture against Khan Research Laboratories. The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly offered him to OGDCL as a guest player as part of its push to involve established internationals in domestic first-class cricket.
Babar’s return follows a difficult period in Test cricket. He averaged 22, 20 and 31 during the 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years and has not scored a Test century in four years. Although he was named player of the series against the West Indies, scoring 196 runs, he managed only 97 runs across four innings against England.
Pakistan were beaten 3-0 by England after drawing their preceding series against the West Indies 1-1, increasing pressure on Babar and the team.
