Categories: Cricket

Kamran Ghulam’s debut hundred gives Pakistan timely lift against England

Second Test, day one: Pakistan 259-5 v England
Debutant stars for hosts on intriguing first day

It remains to be seen whether Pakistan’s team selection, which before play had raised more eyebrows than hopes, was inspired rather than desperate but so far only one of their big calls has been tested and Kamran Ghulam was everything they could have hoped for. The debutant enjoyed the dreamiest of introductions to Test cricket despite coming to the crease in a situation closer to a nightmare, his side reeling at 19 for two. The words slowly and surely could have been paired with his innings in mind, and he eventually fell towards the close having scored 118, helping his side to end the opening day on 259 for five.

Kamran’s selection came after an outstanding season in domestic first class cricket last winter, a couple of excellent innings in the recent one-day President’s Cup and the complete collapse in the form of Babar Azam. The 29-year-old has plenty of experience but he also had the largest possible shoes to fill, and the match situation as he strapped on his pads cannot have helped his nerves, but there was no sign of them as he settled into his work. His first 15 balls brought four singles and a lot of neat defensive work; he sent his 16th down the ground for six.

Source: Cricket - The Guardian