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Kamran Ghulam‘s name will forever be etched in the history books of Pakistani cricket. The 29-year-old batter, who had toiled for years in domestic cricket, finally got his much-awaited Test debut against England in Multan. Not only did he debut, but he stole the show with a magnificent century, silencing his doubters and proving his worth on the biggest stage.
Kamran Ghulam’s painful controversial past resurfaces
While Ghulam’s debut was a dream come true, an old video from the 2022 Pakistan Super League (PSL) resurfaced online, causing a stir. The clip showed a heated exchange between Ghulam and his then-Lahore Qalandars teammate, fast bowler Haris Rauf. After Ghulam dropped a catch off Rauf’s bowling, the bowler reacted furiously, slapping Ghulam during the celebration. Though Rauf later hugged Ghulam after a successful run-out, the incident highlighted the pressure and emotions that can run high in professional cricket.
Here’s the video:
Wreck-it-Rauf gets Haris! #HBLPSL7 l #LevelHai l #LQvPZ pic.twitter.com/wwczV5GliZ
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 21, 2022
Also READ: All you need to know about Kamran Ghulam – Domestic star who replaced Babar Azam for the second Test against England
Ghulam replacing an ace batter and delivering like one
Ghulam’s selection came as a surprise to many. He replaced the out-of-form Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain and batting mainstay. This placed immense pressure on Ghulam, who had to prove his selection justified. Stepping into the shoes of the main batter, Ghulam did not disappoint. He batted with grit and determination, anchoring the Pakistan innings and frustrating the England bowlers.
Building partnerships and reaching milestones
Ghulam’s knock was not a solitary feat. He stitched together crucial partnerships that built the foundation for Pakistan’s score. His 149-run stand with Saim Ayub, who scored a career-best 77, brought stability to the innings after early wickets. Later, he shared a 65-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan to keep the scoreboard ticking. Finally, Ghulam reached a personal milestone, scoring a century in his debut Test. He became only the 13th Pakistani batter to achieve this feat, solidifying his place in the history books.
Ghulam’s innings wasn’t without its challenges. He faced the brunt of England’s bowling attack and weathered the storm with patience and skill. His 323-minute vigil at the crease was a testament to his resilience. Unfortunately, just half an hour before the end of the day’s play, spinner Shoaib Bashir dismissed him for 118 runs.
Despite his dismissal, Ghulam’s debut has been hailed as a resounding success. He has not only answered his critics but also proven himself as a reliable and talented batter. With his talent and determination, Ghulam looks set to become a mainstay in the Pakistani Test team for years to come.
