A New Star Rises in Multan. Pakistan cricket fans have had little to celebrate lately. However, the opening day of the second Test in Multan brought a ray of hope. Kamran Ghulam, making his Test debut, scored a gutsy century that lifted spirits and boosted his team’s performance.
Ghulam’s impressive 118 runs helped Pakistan reach 259 for 5 by the end of the day. While this score might not seem extraordinary compared to England’s recent batting displays, it gives Pakistan a solid foundation. The team now has a chance to build a competitive total on a pitch that could favor their spin-heavy attack.
The road to this score wasn’t easy. England’s bowlers, especially Jack Leach, posed constant challenges. Leach took two early wickets, bringing his total to nine in just three innings on this ground. His performance reaffirmed his position as England’s top spinner.
Ghulam Standout Performance in Pakistan vs. England Match
As the day progressed, the match became a thrilling contest between bat and ball. England’s seamers, all hailing from Durham, found success with reverse swing in the afternoon. This tactic proved especially effective on the dry Multan pitch.
Ben Stokes, returning as captain after recovering from a hamstring injury, led the seam attack. His presence boosted England’s confidence and strategy. In contrast, Pakistan’s decision to leave out both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah might prove costly. They now rely heavily on their lone quick bowler, Aamer Jamal, to match England’s seam bowling prowess.
Despite these challenges, Ghulam’s century stole the show. At 29, he became the second-oldest Pakistani to score a hundred on debut. His achievement came after years of hard work in domestic cricket, where he amassed over 4,500 runs at an impressive average of 49.
Ghulam’s innings began when Pakistan was struggling at 19 for 2. Leach had struck twice in the first ten overs, a feat not seen by an English spinner since Johnny Briggs in 1889. This early setback threatened to trigger another collapse like the one Pakistan suffered in the first Test.
Ghulam Pakistan’s Rising Star of Grit and Grace
But Ghulam stood firm. He showed his familiarity with the conditions and confidence in his abilities from the start. His first boundary was a composed six over Leach’s head. This bold stroke set the tone for his innings.
Ghulam reached his first fifty off 104 balls. This milestone had eluded even the more famous Babar Azam in his recent 18 innings. Ghulam’s success highlighted the value of his domestic cricket experience.
The debutant faced a new challenge when Stokes brought himself into the attack. The England captain immediately tested Ghulam with some probing deliveries. Two edges flew through the slip cordon, prompting England to tighten their field. Joe Root even donned a helmet to field close in, hoping to catch any further chances.
While Ghulam held firm, his partner Saim Ayub fell to the pressure. Ayub had been struggling as an opener but showed improvement in this innings. He scored 77, his third fifty in four first innings. However, the England bowlers’ persistence paid off when Matthew Potts induced an edge, caught by Stokes at silly mid-off.
England’s Bowling Brilliance
After tea, England’s bowlers turned up the heat. Brydon Carse roughed up Saud Shakeel with a sharp bouncer. He then found Shakeel’s edge with a fast, precise delivery that flew to the keeper. This wicket reduced Pakistan to 172 for 4, putting England in a strong position.
Ghulam had a close call on 79 when he attempted to attack Leach. A loose shot nearly found Ben Duckett at mid-on, but the fielder couldn’t hold on. This missed chance allowed Ghulam to push on towards his century.
Stokes’ clever use of his seamers throughout the day paid dividends. Carse and Potts kept the pressure on Mohammad Rizwan, who struggled to score early in his innings. Potts nearly got Rizwan out on 6, but England chose not to review a close caught-behind chance. Replays later showed that the ball had indeed touched Rizwan’s bat.
A Late Twist in the Tale
As the day neared its end, England’s efforts finally bore fruit. Shoaib Bashir, who had struggled earlier, made the crucial breakthrough. Using the second new ball, he bowled Ghulam for 118. The ball skidded past Ghulam’s tired attempt at a big shot and clipped the top of leg stump.
This late wicket could prove vital in determining the course of the match. Pakistan will now need to work hard to build a competitive first-innings total. Meanwhile, England will look to capitalize on this late success when play resumes.
In conclusion, Kamran Ghulam’s debut century provided a much-needed boost for Pakistan cricket. His gritty performance, along with contributions from Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan, has given Pakistan a fighting chance in this Test. However, England’s disciplined bowling and late breakthrough have kept them firmly in the contest. Cricket fans can look forward to an exciting continuation of this thrilling match.
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