PAK vs ENG: Ravichandran Ashwin in awe of Kamran Ghulam's century amid Babar Azam storm
Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Kamran Ghulam for his spectacular hundred on debut during Day 1 of the second Test against England on Tuesday, October 15 at Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan. Notably, Ghulam was brought into the playing XI in place of star batter Babar Azam.
However, Kamran Ghulam became the 13th Pakistan cricketer to score a Test hundred on his debut. Kamran, 29, became the second oldest player after Abid Ali in 2019 to go past the three-figure mark on debut in the traditional format.
The 29-year-old showed no qualms in his maiden Test outing as he walked in to bat with his team reeling on 19/2 after 9.4 overs. He went on to score a spectacular hundred on his debut and took his team’s score past 200. He played a well-compiled innings of 118 (224) with the help of 11 fours and a six.
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Commenting on Ghulam’s century, Ashwin hailed the debutant for his mental fortitude to be able to cross three-figure mark with all the talks around Babar’s dropping.
“With all the talk about”Babar” spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a 👌👌 hundred. #PAKvENG,” Ashwin on his X account.
With all the talk about”Babar” spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a ???????? hundred. ???????? #PAKvENG
— Ashwin ???????? (@ashwinravi99) October 15, 2024
Walking into bat with his team in a precarious position, Ghulam joined Saim Ayyub at the crease as the duo weathered the storm for Pakistan. Ghulam had a cautious start to his innings scoring just four runs from his first 14 balls and got his innings going as he came down the track against Jack Leach and smashed him for a six. After settling his nerves, he completed a 50-run partnership with Ayyub to stabilize Pakistan’s innings.
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Post Lunch, Ghulam further drove Shoaib Bashir towards cover for a boundary and showed signs of marching towards a big innings. He brought up his half century off 104 balls and got involved in a massive 149-run partnership with Ayyub, who was dismissed for 77 (160).
However, Ghulam continued to march towards his maiden hundred and reached the milestone in the last session with a boundary against Joe Root. The 29-year-old looked ecstatic after reaching the landmark and punched the air in delight as he let out a huge roar. He even blew a flying kiss to his father and bowed down on the pitch to celebrate the special milestone.