Babar Azam Lauds Kamran Ghulam for Maiden Test Century Against England

Kamran Ghulam made a remarkable debut in the second Test against England, scoring his maiden Test century with an impressive 118 runs. His performance was crucial in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after a shaky start, and captain Babar Azam was quick to praise the young talent. This achievement not only highlights Ghulam’s potential but also reflects positively on Pakistan’s cricketing future as they aim to bounce back in the series.

Kamran Ghulam’s Debut Performance

Ghulam’s century came at a pivotal moment when Pakistan was struggling at 19 for 2. His composed innings included a crucial partnership of 149 runs for the third wicket with Saim Ayub, allowing the team to recover and finish the day at 259 for 5. This performance showcased his ability to handle pressure and contribute significantly to the team’s efforts.

Babar Azam expressed pride in Ghulam’s achievement, highlighting the importance of nurturing young talent within the team. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering an environment where players can thrive and showcase their skills on an international stage. Azam’s encouragement serves as a motivating factor for emerging players like Ghulam.

Match review of PAKvsENG

In an innings that put safety before ambition, there was an anomaly. Particularly impressive was his patience, which only failed him twice in 224 balls at the crease: once after a run of 12 consecutive dot balls, when he rushed at Leach and miscued the ball just beyond Ben Duckett’s reach at midwicket, and again after a run of 11 dots broken only by a single, when he rushed at Bashir, a tired, stupid, and immediately regretted decision, and was bowled.

After those initial stutters, Pakistan was stabilized when Saim Ayub Kamran put on 149 for the third wicket. As is so common these days, one opening went big while the other fell cheaply:  Although he survived a few instances when the ball veered off the edge or glove and just out of a fielder’s reach, Saim scored a smart 77 after Abdullah Shafique struck a century in the first innings of the first Test. 

Shafique only managed seven runs. Shan Masood succeeded in what was likely his most crucial job, even if he also failed with the bat. Given that his team’s strategy was heavily dependent on them having the best batting conditions at the beginning of the match and the best spin-bowling conditions at the conclusion, the captain of Pakistan made what, under the circumstances, was a pivotal and potentially life-saving toss to open the day. 

England performance

Controversially, England began with five seam overs before moving to spin on the same field as the first Test match played last week. That choice was promptly rewarded by Jack Leach, who became the first spinner from England to capture two wickets in the first ten overs of a Test match since 1889. Contrary to expectations, however, there was life here for fast bowlers: Ben Stokes bowled for the first time in the middle of the afternoon, and soon after, England’s seamers had picked up on the idea of reverse swing and were eagerly following it, resembling a more athletic, monochromatic clad version of Bisto Kids.

Even though half a dozen fielders were positioned in an intimidating parabola around the batter for the majority of that time, leaving vast stretches of barren grass behind them, England bowled 15 straight overs of seam, took two wickets, and gave up just 40 runs on this pitch, which was chosen and prepared especially to help spinners. “I think the pitch has been good overall, but we’ve seen a couple scuttle low,” Potts remarked. “It’s been okay, although it’s a little slow. We’ll have to wait and watch how the game plays out, but I believe seam bowling still has value on that pitch.

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