PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test: Pakistan don't miss Babar as debutant Kamran Ghulam shines

Pakistan did not miss their star batter Babar Azam as debutant Kamran Ghulam hit a fighting hundred on his debut to revive the hosts on Day 1 of the second Test against England.

In Short

• Kamran Ghulam marked his Test debut with a brilliant century
• Ghulam's 118 guided Pakistan to 259 for five on day one
• Kamran impressed with a stellar 118 that included 11 fours and a six

Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 19 for 2 but debutant Kamran Ghulam’s remarkable hundred steered the home side back on track on Day 1 of the second Test against England in Multan. Ghulam played a composed knock of 118 from 224 balls to guide Pakistan to 259 for five in Multan, showcasing his class and skill, particularly against spin.

Meanwhile, Jack Leach became the first England spinner since Johnny Briggs in 1889 to take two wickets in the first ten overs of a Test match. Pakistan's top-order wobbled, but Ghulam, along with Saim Ayub, who contributed a patient 77, stabilized the innings with a crucial 149-run stand. Ghulam’s debut century, a milestone that had eluded the out-of-form Babar Azam in recent months, came at a crucial time, as his poise and patience held Pakistan's innings together.

PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test Day 1: Live

KAMRAN FILLS BABAR's VACANCY?

Ghulam, a domestic stalwart, stepped into the spotlight in Multan, donning Test whites for the first time, replacing Pakistan's star, Babar Azam. In the build-up, whispers of pressure filled the air. Babar, once Pakistan's captain and their most formidable batter, was in a slump, without a half-century in his last 18 innings. But his absence still loomed long-until Ghulam made it his own stage.

Facing England in the second Test, Pakistan had shuffled their lineup, dropping both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, alongside the former captain. The move stunned fans and pundits alike. Could Pakistan possibly recover from the shuffling of such key players, especially Babar? The answer came with Ghulam's bat.

Walking in at 19 for 2 after Jack Leach's early blows, Ghulam showcased none of the nerves expected from a debutant. With the weight of expectations on his shoulders, he settled in like he had been preparing for this moment his whole life. Ghulam, a seasoned domestic campaigner, has long been known for his mastery over spin, and he wasted no time showing it. England's spinners, including part-timer Joe Root, offered a buffet of turn and bounce, but the debutant was unfazed. His footwork was crisp, his timing precise. He marched past his fifty with ease, the shot selection as deliberate as his journey to this stage.

England, however, weren't content with letting Ghulam and his partner, Saim Ayub, settle into cruise control. The reverse swing soon made an appearance, courtesy of Ben Stokes, one of cricket's finest exponents of the art. Stokes immediately created a few nervous moments, forcing Ghulam into a couple of false strokes, yet luck was on the batter's side as edges fell short and one critical catch was dropped. Ayub, too, held his own, playing a patient knock of 77, before falling to a cunning field placement by Stokes-chipping a ball from Matthew Potts into the England captain's hands at short mid-off.

But Ghulam carried on. His brilliance, a product of years of toil in domestic cricket, came to full bloom as he passed the coveted three-figure mark. Ghulam's hundred came in 192 deliveries, and the celebration was as heartfelt as they come. The emotions spilled over as the Pakistan dressing room rose in unison, led by head coach Jason Gillespie, applauding the debutant who had just justified every ounce of faith placed in him. In a moment of vulnerability and pride, Ghulam stood tall, knowing he had stepped into shoes few thought he could fill.

Ghulam's fairytale innings came to an end when off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, introduced late into the attack, lured him down the pitch with a beautifully flighted delivery. Beaten in the air and by the turn, Ghulam could only watch in despair as the ball clattered into his stumps, ending his marathon knock at 118. His disappointment was evident as he took the long walk back, head shaking, though the crowd and teammates alike gave him a standing ovation for him.

While Pakistan's innings remained in balance at 259 for 5, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha at the crease, the day belonged to Kamran Ghulam. His debut hundred had steadied Pakistan after early jitters, and he had filled the void left by Babar Azam's omission in the best way possible-with class, grit, and a steely resolve. In a series where Pakistan had already suffered an innings defeat, Ghulam's knock wasn't just about runs; it was about belief, both in himself and for a team needing fresh heroes.