Islamabad, 15 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam is set to return to first-class cricket after a seven-year hiatus as he joins Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) as a guest player in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I. Babar’s last first-class appearance came in 2019, when he represented Central Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. His return comes at a crucial time as the right-handed batter has been struggling for big scores in Test cricket. Babar has not scored a Test century since December 2022 and has averaged 30.43 with the bat since the beginning of 2023, managing only eight fifties in his last 39 innings. His highest score since his last Test century is 88, scored in the second Test against the West Indies last month. OGDCL was included in the President’s Trophy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed WAPDA and Sahir Associates from the competition for failing to comply with the regulations for the current season. Besides Babar, other senior Pakistan players have also returned to first-class cricket, including fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has featured in domestic first-class cricket for the first time in nine years. Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha, who was among seven players sent back from the England tour, is also participating in the competition and has scored an unbeaten 300 for Kingsmen Academy. Pakistan’s recent performances have come under increased scrutiny after the team slipped to ninth position in the Test rankings following a 3-0 defeat against England and is also languishing in ninth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings.