The second Test between Pakistan and England kicked off today in the city of Multan, and all eyes were eagerly fixed on the Pakistani batting lineup. The focus was primarily on Kamran Ghulam, a rising star who found himself in the spotlight as the replacement for the renowned Babar Azam at the pivotal number four position. This change in the lineup came after Babar Azam, despite his fame and established skills, faced a dry spell with the bat, failing to score a half-century in 18 consecutive Test innings. Consequently, he was excluded from the squad for the ongoing and the subsequent final Test against England.
Interestingly, the talented batsman Babar Azam is marking his 30th birthday today, a day filled with mixed emotions as his replacement, Kamran Ghulam, seized the occasion to make a memorable impact. Faced with challenging conditions in Multan, Ghulam entered the crease with Pakistan struggling at 19/2, having elected to bat first. Demonstrating remarkable poise and confidence, Ghulam played an impressive innings, notching up a century on his Test debut, an achievement that turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor and brought him into the limelight.
Let us delve deeper into the background of Kamran Ghulam, a cricketer who has captivated the audience with his debut performance and who has been on the radar due to his consistent domestic performances. Born to a rich cricketing tradition in his hometown, Kamran Ghulam has been a significant contributor to the domestic circuit. Before making his remarkable Test debut at the age of 29, he amassed a commendable record in first-class cricket over the years. His domestic career has been nothing short of prolific; Ghulam has participated in 59 first-class matches, scoring an impressive total of 4377 runs at an average of 49.17. Throughout his domestic journey, he has registered 16 centuries and 20 half-centuries, underlining his ability to play innings of substance.
Earlier this year, Kamran Ghulam made his debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in January 2023 during a series against New Zealand. He filled in as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail.
. However, the match circumstances were such that Ghulam did not get an opportunity to showcase his batting skills, as Pakistan’s innings had already concluded by the time he took to the field. He remained part of the fielding unit as New Zealand managed to chase down Pakistan’s score of 281 runs with two wickets to spare. Regrettably, after the series, Ghulam was dropped from the ODI team and has not been called back since.
Nevertheless, Ghulam’s thriving domestic career continues to speak volumes of his capabilities. His List A cricket statistics stand as a testament to his batting prowess, with a total of 3344 runs in 94 matches, maintaining a solid average of 42.32. This includes eight centuries and 20 half-centuries, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable top-order batsman. Additionally, Ghulam has adapted to the demands of the T20 format, appearing in 73 matches and scoring 1510 runs with a strike rate of 127.10. Within the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he represents the Lahore Qalandars, where he’s contributed 419 runs in 20 innings at a strike rate of 116.06.
Kamran Ghulam’s stellar start to his Test career has ignited hope among fans and followers of Pakistan cricket. With his debut century, he has not only affirmed the selectors’ confidence in his ability but has also set a foundation upon which he can build a promising international career. As Ghulam continues on this path, he carries the potential to follow in the celebrated footsteps of his predecessor, Babar Azam, and perhaps carve out his own legacy in the realm of Test cricket. The future is bright for Kamran Ghulam, and Pakistani fans watch with bated breath to see how he will further contribute to the cricketing narrative of this great nation.
