Babar Azam Returns to Domestic Cricket Amid Form Concerns

Pakistan's Test captain Babar Azam is making a significant return to domestic cricket, joining the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited in the President’s Trophy. This move comes as he grapples with a decline in form, having not scored a Test century since December 2022. His recent performances have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike, particularly following a disappointing series against England. Azam's participation in domestic cricket aims to help him reconnect with the longer format and refine his skills. Will this return help him regain his form? Read on to find out more.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 15, 2026, 11:41 IST

Babar Azam's Domestic Comeback

Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan Test team, is making a return to domestic cricket as he seeks to regain his form. He will play as a guest player for the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament, according to reports from Cricinfo.

In an effort to stay connected with the longer format of the game and improve his skills, Azam requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to help him join a domestic team. The PCB facilitated his inclusion with OGDCL.

Challenges in Test Performance

Babar Azam has faced significant challenges in Test cricket over the last few years. He has not achieved a Test century since December 2022, when he scored 161 runs against New Zealand in Karachi. Since the beginning of 2023, his batting average in Tests has dropped to 30.43, which is over 12 runs lower than his career average. In 39 innings during this timeframe, he has only managed eight half-centuries, including a concerning stretch of 18 innings without surpassing 41 runs.

Concerns Over Inconsistent Performance

Although he has scored four half-centuries in his last five Tests, his highest score since his last century is just 88, achieved during Pakistan's victory against the West Indies in the second Test of their recent tour. This win ended Pakistan's streak of eight consecutive away Test losses and marked their first overseas Test victory since July 2023. However, Azam's struggle to convert good starts into significant scores remains a major issue.

His declining form has sparked extensive discussion within the Pakistan cricket community, with former players and analysts often scrutinizing his technique and performance. This conversation intensified during Pakistan's recent three-Test series in England, where they were defeated 3-0. England's fast bowlers effectively exploited Azam's weaknesses against short deliveries in the second and third Tests at Lord's and Edgbaston, while he missed the series opener at Headingley due to injury.

Return to Domestic Cricket

Despite his ongoing struggles, Azam has largely avoided participating in domestic first-class cricket and was not selected for any of the eight squads announced by the PCB for this season's President’s Trophy and President’s Cup. His last appearance in a domestic first-class tournament was in 2019, when he led Central Punjab to victory over Northern in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final.