Kamran Ghulam Shines as Pakistan Steady Against England in Multan Test

In an intense display at Multan Cricket Stadium, Kamran Ghulam marked his Test debut with a standout century against England, offering a much-needed boost to Pakistan on Day 1 of the second Test. The 29-year-old, stepping in for the out-of-form Babar Azam, impressed with his calculated innings, solidifying Pakistan’s position at 259 for 5 at the close of play.

The pitch, which previously drew criticism for its condition, saw a more balanced contest between bat and ball on this occasion. England’s Matthew Potts noted the unexpected flatness of the surface, stating, “You don’t tell a score until both sides have batted on it. It appeared to be more flatter than we expected,” as he discussed the strategic challenges following a hard day on the field.

Kamran Ghulam showcased impressive resolve, accumulating 118 runs off 224 balls. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja commented on Ghulam’s focused approach, highlighting his “excellent footwork against spin” and noting that his game against pace would improve over time.

Despite starting his innings with Pakistan at a precarious 19-2, Ghulam’s presence at the crease allowed them to stabilize before his dismissal by Shoaib Bashir. His performance stood as a testament to his perseverance through years in the domestic circuit and was seen as justifying Pakistan selectors’ bold decision to rest the celebrated Babar Azam.

England’s bowlers faced rigorous conditions with rising temperatures testing their stamina. Spinner Jack Leach made early breakthroughs and seamers like Brydon Carse exploited reverse swing. Carse’s disciplined bowling was praised by England veteran Steven Finn, who remarked, “Brydon Carse bowled beautifully. He hit a nice line and length at the beginning and then with reverse swing he caused problems.”

Saim Ayub, another significant contributor, struggled with the dual-paced wicket but managed a respectable score of 77, forming a solid partnership with Ghulam. “Our focus was just to give our team a good partnership,” Ayub shared with Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, past associations of Kamran Ghulam with Haris Rauf surfaced in the wake of his debut century. A viral video from the Pakistan Super League depicted Rauf playfully slapping Ghulam during a celebratory moment, a gesture that sparked controversy online.

Amid the contrasting opinions, Ghulam expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his determination to succeed. “It has been frustrating waiting for nearly four years to finally get a chance to play for Pakistan. I think years of grinding it out in domestic cricket has given me the temperament and skills,” he stated during a post-match interview.