Babar Azam will take the crease for OGDCL in the President’s Trophy, marking his first domestic game in seven years. The Pakistan Cricket Board has hand‑picked him as a guest player, and he’s set to appear on 18 September.
The decision follows a painful 0‑3 series loss in England, which exposed cracks in Pakistan’s Test setup. PCB’s sweeping changes—seven squad tweaks and a new coaching lineup—highlight the urgency of restoring confidence.
It’s not just Babar. Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have also turned up for their respective teams. Shaheen took four in an innings for KRL, while Haris grabbed a five‑wicket haul for PTV, signalling a broader return to red‑ball form.
Babar’s captaincy has been under scrutiny. Reinstated in July, he oversaw a 1‑1 draw with the West Indies and the disastrous England series. The PCB’s decision to overhaul the squad without consulting him raised eyebrows.
OGDCL’s sports head, Farah Batool, said Babar’s kit is ready and he may start on 18 September or wait until the third‑round game on 24. The next test for Pakistan looms, and the team’s domestic performance will be under the microscope.