In a momentous debut for Pakistan, 29-year-old Kamran Ghulam made headlines with a brilliant century in the second Test against England at Multan Cricket Stadium. Replacing Babar Azam at No. 4 in Pakistan’s playing XI, Ghulam showcased his talent and composure by scoring a magnificent century in his very first Test match, providing a much-needed boost to Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Ghulam reached his maiden century in the first innings on Tuesday, guiding the team to a solid position after early setbacks. His century came from 192 balls and included eight fours and a six, marking a disciplined and patient innings. Ghulam’s innings was a testament to his resilience and skill, especially considering the pressure of debuting in such a crucial match for Pakistan.
Crucial Partnership with Saim Ayub
Ghulam’s contribution was not just about individual brilliance; he played a key role in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after the early dismissal of the top order. He formed a crucial 149-run partnership with opener Saim Ayub, who himself scored a solid 77 from 160 deliveries. This partnership helped Pakistan recover from a shaky start after losing Abdullah Shafique and captain Shan Masood within the first 10 overs of the match.
Shafique was bowled by England’s left-arm spinner Jack Leach for just seven runs, while Shan Masood, who had top-scored in the first Test, was dismissed for a mere three runs, caught by Zak Crawley off Leach’s bowling. Pakistan found themselves at 23/2, in need of a stabilizing partnership. Ghulam and Ayub delivered exactly that, steering the team out of early trouble.
A Dream Debut for Kamran Ghulam
Kamran Ghulam’s century placed him in an elite list of Pakistani batters who have scored a hundred on Test debut. He became the 13th Pakistani player to achieve this feat, joining the likes of Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, and Fawad Alam. His hundred is now etched in Pakistan’s cricket history alongside greats like Miandad, who scored 163 on debut against New Zealand in 1976, and Younis Khan, who made 107 against Sri Lanka in 2000.
This performance not only made his debut memorable but also added weight to Pakistan’s decision to include him in the squad in place of Babar Azam, who was dropped for the last two matches of the series. Ghulam, who had played 59 first-class matches prior to his Test debut, proved his mettle on the international stage and justified the selectors’ bold decision.
The End of Babar Azam’s Run?
Babar Azam’s omission from the playing XI was one of the major talking points before the start of the second Test. The former captain, who stepped down from his leadership role last year, has been struggling with form. He hasn’t scored a fifty in his last 18 innings, a stretch that saw growing criticism and calls for changes in the lineup. With Kamran Ghulam’s strong debut performance, the future of Babar’s place in the team may be uncertain.
Pakistan’s selection committee, under new leadership, made sweeping changes to the squad for the remaining two Tests of the series. In addition to dropping Babar, the team also left out key pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, further signaling a shift in strategy.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Continue Despite Ghulam’s Century
Despite Ghulam’s heroics, Pakistan’s batting performance was far from perfect. After the loss of the early wickets of Shafique and Shan, the middle-order contributions of Ayub and Ghulam kept Pakistan competitive. However, much will depend on the performance of the lower order in the coming days if Pakistan is to post a challenging total against England, who have been relentless in the series so far.
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