Kamran Ghulam made a remarkable entrance into Test cricket, scoring a century on his debut and guiding Pakistan to a competitive total of 259-5 at the close of the first day of the second Test against England in Multan on Tuesday. The 29-year-old, who replaced the struggling Babar Azam at number four, showed exceptional skill and composure, foiling England’s aggressive bowling tactics and field placements to score an impressive 118.
The day ended with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha unbeaten at the crease, on 37 and five runs respectively, adding stability to Pakistan’s innings after a shaky start. Ghulam’s knock was particularly significant as it marked the end of his long wait for a place in the national team, a journey that began with his record-breaking 1,249-run season in domestic cricket in 2020.
A Stellar Debut for Ghulam
Ghulam’s century was a testament to his perseverance and skill, coming at a time when Pakistan needed a strong performance to recover from early setbacks. Pakistan, having won the toss and chosen to bat, found themselves in trouble early in the day as they slumped to 19-2, with England’s spinner Jack Leach causing havoc in the first hour.
Leach struck twice, removing Abdullah Shafique for seven and Pakistan’s stand-in captain Shan Masood for three, both caught off sharp deliveries. This put the home side under significant pressure, especially following their crushing defeat in the first Test, where England secured an innings victory.
However, Ghulam, coming in at number four, immediately displayed his talent, countering England’s bowling attack with poise and determination. He forged a vital partnership with young opener Saim Ayub, who contributed a career-best 77. Together, they put on 149 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after the early losses. Ghulam’s ability to navigate the spinners and England’s attempts at aggressive field placements demonstrated the maturity he brings to the team.
Ghulam’s Century: A Long-Awaited Milestone
Kamran Ghulam’s hundred came after 280 minutes at the crease, when he guided a delivery from Joe Root to the boundary, becoming the 12th Pakistani cricketer to score a century on debut. His innings spanned 323 minutes in total, including 11 boundaries and a six, showcasing both his defensive skills and his ability to score quickly when needed.
Despite the high-quality knock, Ghulam’s innings came to an end just before the close of play. He was bowled by Shoaib Bashir, England’s rookie spinner, who finally managed to break through Ghulam’s resistance. His dismissal at 118, however, had already placed Pakistan in a relatively strong position, considering their early setbacks.
Ghulam’s inclusion in the playing XI, following the omission of Babar Azam, was seen as a bold move by Pakistan’s selectors. Yet, his performance on the opening day of the second Test justified the decision, as he became the backbone of Pakistan’s innings.
England’s Bowling Tactics and Struggles on a Flat Pitch
England’s bowlers, led by Jack Leach, faced a challenging day on a Multan pitch that offered little assistance to the spinners after the first hour. Leach ended the day with figures of 2-92, having taken key wickets early on but struggling to maintain the same level of threat as the day progressed.
The England captain, Ben Stokes, who missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury, returned to lead his side in the second match. Stokes bowled five overs but appeared to be managing his workload carefully, likely to avoid aggravating his injury. His bowling did not yield a breakthrough, but his leadership on the field was crucial as England tried various fielding strategies, including placing a short mid-off and two mid-wicket fielders, to disrupt Pakistan’s batting rhythm.
Matthew Potts, another key figure in England’s bowling lineup, delivered a solid performance by removing Saim Ayub for 77 with a well-executed delivery that was caught at short mid-off. Brydon Carse, the pace bowler, added to England’s wickets by dismissing Saud Shakeel for just four runs. Despite these efforts, Pakistan’s middle-order, anchored by Ghulam and later supported by Rizwan, managed to keep the visitors at bay.
Shoaib Bashir, a relatively new face in the England squad, claimed the crucial wicket of Kamran Ghulam late in the day. His dismissal of Ghulam came at a time when England were looking for breakthroughs to limit Pakistan’s first innings total, and it gave the visitors a slight advantage heading into the second day.
Pakistan’s Strategic Changes Following First-Test Defeat
Pakistan’s team selection for the second Test raised eyebrows, as several key players were dropped following their heavy defeat in the opening match. Babar Azam, the team’s star batsman and regular captain, was omitted, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Abrar Ahmed, who played in the first Test, was also left out as Pakistan opted for a spin-heavy attack, introducing Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood, and Noman Ali to the lineup.
The decision to rely on just one fast bowler, Aamer Jamal, was a bold gamble by the selectors, signaling their intent to exploit the spin-friendly conditions in Multan. However, with the pitch offering little assistance to spinners after the first session, it remains to be seen whether this strategy will pay off in the coming days.
Despite the changes, Pakistan’s performance on the first day showed signs of resilience, especially with Kamran Ghulam’s breakthrough innings. The team will look to build on this momentum as they seek to level the three-match series, which England currently leads 1-0.
Conclusion: Pakistan’s Strong Start, but Work Remains
Pakistan ended the first day of the second Test at 259-5, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha still at the crease, providing hope for a substantial first-innings total. Kamran Ghulam’s debut century was the highlight of the day, as he led a fightback against a determined England side.
While England’s bowlers, particularly Jack Leach and Matthew Potts, managed to claim key wickets, the flat pitch and Pakistan’s disciplined batting made it a challenging day for the visitors. As the match progresses, both sides will look to capitalize on the conditions, with Pakistan aiming to post a strong total and England hoping their bowlers can make further inroads on day two.
