Babar Azam, Pakistan’s most prominent batter, has been included in the OGDCL squad as a guest player for the third round of the President’s Trophy, marking the conclusion of a nearly seven-year exile from first-class cricket. The move was confirmed by the PCB on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in advance of the four-day fixture between OGDCL and KRL at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, which is scheduled to take place from September 24 to 27.
In December 2019, Babar Azam played in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final, where he led Central Punjab to victory over Northern by an innings and 16 runs. This President’s Trophy appearance is a significant moment in his domestic career due to the nearly seven-year gap. Following Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series loss to England, his return has prompted numerous senior players to pursue competitive red-ball cricket on the domestic circuit.
What was the reason for Babar Azam’s decision to participate in the OGDCL?
Babar Azam decision to sign with OGDCL is a result of his aspiration to enhance his first-class form and preserve his rhythm in the lengthier format in anticipation of future international assignments. He approached the PCB with a request to continue his involvement in red-ball cricket, and the board facilitated his placement with OGDCL as a guest signatory, according to confirmed reports. His inclusion was expressly approved by the board for the Abbottabad match against KRL.
Additionally, OGDCL has enhanced their roster with two additional players for the third round. Razaullah, who made his Test debut against England in 2026, has been enlisted in conjunction with 18-year-old pacer Ali Raza. The OGDCL’s four-day contest is well-rounded due to the combination of an established international batter and two emerging talents.
What additional competitors have been included in the third round?
A substantial number of Pakistani internationals have participated in various departments during the third round of the President’s Trophy. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been brought in to bolster KRL’s pace attack, while mystery spinner Usman Tariq has been incorporated into their roster. SNGPL has recruited Pakistan Under-19 players Hamza Zahoor, Abdul Subhan, and Farhan Yousaf, as well as Test batsmen Naseem Shah and Abdullah Shafique.
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Saud Shakeel has joined Kingsmen Academy, Aamir Jamal has been incorporated into the MIT Solutions squad, Abdullah Fazal has signed with State Bank of Pakistan, Ali Usman has joined Pakistan Television, and Hunain Shah has joined Ghani Glass. Shadab Khan and Noman Ali are anticipated to establish connections with their respective departments prior to the commencement of the fourth round of the tournament.
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