Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and leading fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi are set to feature in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy first-class tournament, boosting the profile of the country's flagship domestic competition.
The inclusion of top national stars comes as part of efforts to keep key players in peak match condition during breaks in the international calendar while strengthening domestic red-ball cricket.
Babar Azam remains one of Pakistan's most prolific top-order batters, having accumulated thousands of runs across test and limited-overs formats since making his international debut in 2015.
Having regularly featured for regional teams and department sides earlier in his career, Babar's return to premier first-class cricket provides valuable experience to emerging domestic players.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has established himself as the spearhead of Pakistan's fast bowling attack across all three formats since breaking into the national setup in 2018.
The left-arm fast bowler has consistently delivered match-winning spells with the red ball, utilizing his swing, seam movement, and high release point to trouble top-order batters.
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy stands as Pakistan's oldest and most prestigious domestic tournament, establishing the benchmark for evaluating players for the national Test squad.
Organized annually by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the competition features regional teams competing in multi-day matches across major venues throughout the country.
National selectors closely monitor performances in the first-class championship to identify top-performing batters, spinners, and seamers capable of stepping up to international level.
Babar recently anchored Pakistan's batting order in international assignments, continuing his role as a core member of the national squad's top order.
Shaheen's participation in long-format domestic fixtures offers an opportunity to build bowling stamina and test fitness ahead of upcoming international series.
The presence of world-class international performers raises the competitive standard of matchplay and provides high-pressure experience for domestic teammates and opponents alike.
Pakistani cricket tradition has frequently seen senior international players return to first-class cricket to maintain rhythm and mentor regional squads during domestic stretches.
The PCB has consistently stressed the importance of first-class cricket, encouraging centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments whenever international schedules allow.
The upcoming rounds of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy will feature full regional lineups as teams push for top positions in the tournament standings.
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