Babar Azam to make domestic first-class return following England series

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is preparing for a return to domestic first-class cricket for the first time in nearly seven years. The move comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) looks to reintegrate key players into the red-ball format following the national team’s difficult 0-3 Test series whitewash in England.

Babar is scheduled to represent the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I competition. According to OGDCL sports head Farah Batool, the PCB facilitated his inclusion as a guest player. While the team is prepared for his arrival, the exact timing of his debut remains flexible, with the star batter set to choose between the match beginning on September 18 or the third-round fixture starting on September 24.

Babar’s leadership has faced intense scrutiny since his reappointment as Test captain in July. His tenure has included a 1-1 series draw against the West Indies and the recent series defeat in England, where the second Test concluded inside three days. Reports indicate that the subsequent overhaul of the squad and the removal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul occurred without consultation with the captain.

Rauf, who has historically focused on limited-overs cricket, has expressed a renewed interest in the Test format. Despite previously declining a spot in the Test squad for the tour of Australia in December 2023 to manage his workload, the pacer has stated that he would be happy to contribute to the Test side if his pace is deemed useful. Rauf’s career in the longest format has been limited to a single appearance against England in 2022, a match that was cut short by injury after he bowled 13 overs.