Babar Azam is returning to first-class cricket for the first time in almost seven years. The PCB confirmed on September 23, 2026 that he will play for OGDCL against KRL in a four-day match at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium from September 24 to 27, in the third round of the President’s Trophy.
His last first-class appearance was in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final against Northern. Central Punjab won by an innings and 16 runs.
Why OGDCL
Babar reportedly asked the PCB for a chance to play competitive first-class cricket, and the board placed him with OGDCL as a guest player for the Abbottabad game. It follows Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series defeat in England and gives him time in the longer format to work on his red-ball rhythm.
OGDCL have also added Razaullah, who made his Test debut against England in 2026, and 18-year-old fast bowler Ali Raza, seen as one of the emerging pace talents.
Other internationals return
Several other Pakistan players are joining the round. KRL have added Shaheen Shah Afridi and mystery spinner Usman Tariq. SNGPL have brought in Test batters Naseem Shah and Abdullah Shafique, together with Under-19 players Hamza Zahoor, Abdul Subhan and Farhan Yousaf.
Saud Shakeel has joined Kingsmen Academy, Aamer Jamal MIT Solutions, Abdullah Fazal State Bank of Pakistan, Ali Usman Pakistan Television and Hunain Shah Ghani Glass. Shadab Khan and Noman Ali are expected to join their departmental sides before the fourth round.
