Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has returned to domestic first-class cricket after nearly seven years, joining OGDCL for their upcoming President’s Trophy Grade-I fixture against KRL at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Wednesday that Babar had joined the departmental side ahead of the third round of the tournament.
The 31-year-old last featured in domestic first-class cricket in December 2019, when he captained Central Punjab to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. Central Punjab defeated Northern by an innings and 16 runs in the final to lift the trophy.
Babar will now represent OGDCL in their four-day encounter against KRL, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 27 at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.
OGDCL have also strengthened their squad with the addition of Razaullah, who recently impressed on his Test debut against England earlier this year.
Meanwhile, KRL have been reinforced by mystery spinner Usman Tariq, while fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is also part of the team’s lineup for the upcoming fixture.
Several other Pakistan national team players have joined their departmental sides ahead of the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I.
SNGPL, who suffered an innings defeat against Ghani Glass in the second round, have added Test cricketers Naseem Shah and Abdullah Shafique to their squad.
The team has also welcomed Pakistan Under-19 players Hamza Zahoor, Abdul Subhan and captain Farhan Yousaf to strengthen its bench and provide additional options for the upcoming matches.
Kingsmen Academy have also bolstered their lineup by bringing in experienced middle-order batter Saud Shakeel.
The left-handed batter was recently part of Pakistan’s squad for the England tour and will now look to help his side bounce back from their nine-wicket defeat against OGDCL in the previous round.
With several prominent national team players joining their respective departmental sides, the third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I will feature a number of familiar faces as teams prepare for their upcoming four-day fixtures.