Pakistan cricket team batsman Kamran Ghulam impressed everyone on his debut as he hit a gritty century on Day 1 of the second Test match against England on Tuesday. Ghulam looked at ease against the English bowlers and he eventually scored 118 off 224 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and 1 six. The 29-year-old replaced Babar Azam in the starting line-up after the former Pakistan captain was dropped following a dismal run. After the ton, Babar took to social media to congratulate Ghulam on his achievement as he wrote on his Instagram story: “Well played Kamran”.

Kamran Ghulam hit a brilliant century on debut to guide Pakistan to 259-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England in Multan on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old replaced the out-of-form Babar Azam at number four and thwarted England’s aggressive bowling and fielding to score 118.

At the end of an even matchday, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha were unbeaten with 37 and five respectively.

The day ended Ghulam’s frustratingly long wait for a place in the Pakistan team after breaking a national record of 1,249 runs in the 2020 domestic season.

Ghulam led a fight after the hosts, who won the toss, struggled at 19-2, with England spinner Jack Leach striking twice in the first hour.

Ghulam added 149 for the challenging third wicket with Saim Ayub, who hit a career-best 77, and another 65 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan.

He reached three figures with a boundary off spinner Joe Root, taking 280 minutes and becoming Pakistan’s 12th batsman to score a century in his first Test.

With just half an hour before the stumps, Ghulam was bowled by spinner Shoaib Bashir, bringing a decisive end to a resolute 323-minute knock, spiced with 11 fours and a six.

Ghulam said his century was a reward for his wait.

“It’s wonderful to score a hundred and that too as a replacement for Babar Azam, who has been a great player for Pakistan,” said Ghulam, who suffered a major disappointment on 79 when Ben Duckett failed to get a tricky chance. Leaching.

“I saw that with bated breath, but the Almighty was so kind to me,” Ghulam said.

(With AFP inputs)