Kamran Ghulam Shines with Debut Century Against England

Kamran Ghulam marked his debut with a remarkable century as England faced a strong challenge from Pakistan on the opening day of the second Test in Multan. Ghulam, who stepped into the team following Babar Azam’s surprising omission, scored 118 runs leading Pakistan to a total of 259-5. His performance dispelled doubts about the pitch which had previously favored batsmen during England’s innings victory last week.

Despite early setbacks when spinner Jack Leach reduced Pakistan to 19-2, Ghulam formed a resilient partnership with Saim Ayub, who contributed 77 runs. Together, they shared a vital 149-run stand for the third wicket. After losing Ayub and Saud Shakeel quickly, Ghulam continued to anchor the innings, forming a 65-run partnership with wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan, who survived an edge off Brydon Carse that England opted not to review.

The pitch created an intriguing challenge, with its slow and double-paced nature testing the batsmen’s skills. Although England’s seamers, including captain Ben Stokes, showed promise with reverse swing, Ghulam and Rizwan navigated the tricky conditions effectively. As the day closed, Shoaib Bashir’s bowling finally dismissed Ghulam, adding suspense to the Test match.

Reflecting on the day’s play, England fast bowler Matthew Potts noted their ability to create numerous chances while Pakistan opener Saim Ayub acknowledged the pitch’s difficulty. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja praised Kamran Ghulam’s temperament and footwork against spin, pointing out that his pace batting would improve over time. Overall, the first day concluded with Pakistan in a strong position leaving the match finely balanced.