![Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam to face off in FC cricket [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793526477044_ShaheenAfridiBabarAzamPakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam to face off in FC cricket [Source: AFP]
Pakistan sealed the ODI Tri-Series over Sri Lanka on Saturday evening with a successful run-chase of 331 runs in Lahore. With this, their World Cup preparations seem to be in full swing, but one of their key players, Babar Azam, remains out of form.
The former captain got out for a duck in the final on what was a batting-friendly wicket, extending his century drought in the format. Nonetheless, Shaheen Afridi backed Babar and further revealed that the duo are also set to return to domestic cricket in the coming days.
Shaheen confirms clash with Babar in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy
The experienced campaigner, Babar Azam, only accumulated 118 runs across 5 innings of the tri-series, involving Sri Lanka and England. On some occasions, he was outdone by good deliveries, while he also played some loose shots in the series.
Addressing Babar's form in the post-match presser, captain Shaheen Afridi opened up that the batter is working on the flaws and will return to domestic cricket in the coming days. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2026/27 gets underway on November 3, and Shaheen's FATA region will face Babar's Lahore (W) in Islamabad, and the pair will feature in the game.
"I believe he is set to play a first-class match in a couple of days against our team. He is well aware of his game plan and how he needs to approach his cricket. Unfortunately, he has had a few dismissals that did not go his way, but that is part and parcel of the game. I am confident he will bounce back," Shaheen told the press.
Shaheen eyes Test comeback
Widely considered one of the finest bowling talents that Pakistan has produced in recent times, Shaheen Afridi was among the mainstays of the team for a long time. Having played 34 Tests for 126 wickets, Shaheen finds himself out of the Babar Azam-led Test team at the moment.
In the bowler-friendly England conditions, Shaheen was not part of the series-losing team. But the bowler admitted about some things that he needs to work on and that will be his focus in the coming weeks, as he represents Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
"I would like to make a comeback in Test cricket. For this, I will play a first-class match for FATA the day after tomorrow. I am going there to play the match and work on improving my bowling. There are still several areas I need to improve, and this match will help me do that," Shaheen concluded.
Shaheen also played one President's Trophy match earlier in September and scored 47 runs with 4/61 and 0/53 across two innings for Khan Labs. Babar, for Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd., played two games but only scored 12, 4, 21 and 21 in four innings.
