Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam has decided to return to domestic first-class cricket as he looks to regain his form in the longer format of the game.
Azam will represent Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) as a guest player in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament, according to Cricinfo. The move comes after the star batter reportedly asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to help him join a domestic team.
The PCB supported his request and arranged his participation with OGDCL. Azam is expected to use the tournament as an opportunity to spend more time at the crease, improve his technique and regain confidence ahead of future Test matches.
The 31-year-old has faced a difficult period in Test cricket. His last Test century came in December 2022, when he scored 161 against New Zealand in Karachi. Since then, he has struggled to turn good starts into major scores.
His average also dropped sharply in 2023, falling to 30.43, well below his career average. In 39 innings this year, Azam has scored eight half-centuries but has not been able to produce a century. He also went through a difficult period of 18 consecutive matches without scoring more than 40 runs.
There have been some positive signs recently. Azam scored 88 during Pakistan’s victory over the West Indies, showing that he is still capable of making important contributions. However, consistency remains a major concern.
His declining form has led to considerable discussion among cricket experts and former Pakistan players. During Pakistan’s recent tour of England, he found it difficult to handle the English fast bowlers and also missed the first Test because of an injury.
Azam has not regularly played domestic first-class cricket for several years. His last appearance came in 2019, when he represented Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final. His absence from domestic competitions this season had also raised questions about his preparation for Test cricket.
His return to the domestic game is therefore seen as an important step in rebuilding his form. Playing longer innings in first-class cricket could help him work on his technique, patience and shot selection.
With important international assignments ahead, Azam will hope that regular domestic cricket can help him rediscover his best form. His performances for OGDCL will be closely watched as Pakistan looks to strengthen its Test team and get the best out of its experienced captain.