Struggling Pakistan cricket has found some joy with Test debutant Kamran Ghulam’s century on the opening day of the second Test against England. 

Multan is hosting the second Test of the three-match Test series between Pakistan and England. The visitors England are already leading this Test series by 1-0 after stunningly winning the Test series opener by an innings and 47 runs at Multan. 

Pakistan are playing the second Test without Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. After Pakistan captain Shan Masood chose to bat first in the second Test, the hosts scored 259/5 at the end of the opening day.

Pakistan had a poor start in the morning session as the opener Abdullah Shafique (7) and skipper Shan Masood (3) were dismissed with one-digit scores. Another opener Saim Ayub got good support from the Test debutant Kamran Ghulam, as the hosts’ innings built up with the third wicket partnership.

Kamran Ghulam scored a century on Test debut

The 29-year-old Kamran shined on the opening day of the Test match. After completing his fifty runs in 104 balls, the right-handed batter scored a marvelous century in 192 balls. He scored 118 off 224 balls with the help of 11 fours and one six before Shoaib Basir bowled him in the fourth over of the last session. He became the 14th Pakistan cricketer to score a century on Test debut and the ninth Pakistan batter to score a century on Test debut innings. 

Ayub and Kamran had a 149-run partnership for the third wicket before Matthew Potts dismissed Ayub for 77 runs. 

Spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was highly impressed with Pakistani Test debutant Kamran Ghulam. 

In his official social media account, Ashwin wrote, “With all the talk about”Babar” spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a 👌👌 hundred. 🔥🔥 #PAKvENG”

With all the talk about”Babar” spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a 👌👌 hundred. 🔥🔥 #PAKvENG

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 15, 2024

At the stumps of the day, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha were not out for 37 and five runs, respectively.

Among the English bowlers, Jack Leach had the bowling figures of 28-1-92-2. He took the first two wickets in the Pakistan innings.