Test players bolster President’s Trophy squads ahead of third round

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Babar Azam reaches 50 runs during the first day of the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on August 5. — AFP/File
Babar Azam reaches 50 runs during the first day of the first Test match between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on August 5. — AFP/File

The third round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I will begin on Thursday with several Test cricketers and Pakistan Under-19 players joining their departmental sides for fixtures in Islamabad, Abbottabad and Peshawar.

Babar Azam and Razaullah have joined Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) ahead of their match against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq has also linked up with KRL.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), who suffered a defeat against Ghani Glass in the second round, have been bolstered by the return of fast bowler Naseem Shah and top-order batter Abdullah Shafique.

Pakistan Under-19 players Farhan Yousuf, Abdul Subhan and Hamza Zahoor have also joined the SNGPL squad.

MIT Solutions have added fast bowler Aamir Jamal to their attack after their bowlers sent down 158 overs against KRL in the second round.

Abdullah Fazal has joined State Bank of Pakistan, while experienced Test batter Saud Shakeel has linked up with Kingsmen Academy. Kingsmen’s batting struggled in their second-round defeat by OGDCL.

Left-arm spinner Ali Usman will make his first appearance for Pakistan Television after his record-breaking 2025-26 season. PTV have drawn both their matches so far and will be seeking their first victory when they take on Kingsmen Academy at Diamond Cricket Ground in Islamabad.

Ghani Glass, who have already impressed with their pace attack, will be strengthened by the arrival of Ubaid Shah for their match against SBP at National Ground in Islamabad.

All-rounder Shadab Khan and left-arm spinner Noman Ali are expected to join Ghani Glass before the fourth round.

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