Kamran Ghulam becomes second oldest Test centurion on debut for Pakistan

Kamran Ghulam hit Joe Root for a four towards deep mid-wicket to bring up his maiden Test ton. This milestone was achieved by Pakistan number four on Day 1 of the second Test of the three-match series in Multan. 

With this century in his debut innings on October 15 (Tuesday), Ghulam became the second oldest player from Pakistan to hit a century on Test debut. At 29 years and five days, Ghulam is only behind Abid Ali (32 years and 56 days) amongst the oldest Pakistani players to hit a ton on Test debut. 

Making a mark in his debut innings as a Pakistan international, Ghulam, who had been piling heaps of runs in domestic cricket, repaid the faith of the selectors, who had chosen him to replace Pakistan’s biggest star Babar Azam in this game.

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Coming in to bat at number four, Ghulam had a difficult task ahead of himself with Pakistan reeling at 19/2. He braved the tough conditions of the morning session and put on 149 for the third wicket with Saim Ayub. 

While Ayub was dismissed for 77 and Saud Shakeel followed suit, Ghulam continued to tread carefully and added an unbeaten 48 with Mohammad Rizwan on his way to his maiden century. His knock of 102* was laced with nine fours and a six. 

Ghulam, who had been knocking on the doors of the national team, was finally given the chance after Pakistan remained winless in 11 Tests at home, losing the third one on the trot, when they were humbled by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test. 

Since the start of 2023, Ghulam had amassed 1,055 runs at an average of 55.53 in First-Class cricket before finally making his Test debut. He is also a more than decent bowler, with 31 First-Class wickets to his name. He made his Pakistan debut in 2023, but did not bat or ball in that game against New Zealand.

This is Ghulam's third century in his last three red-ball appearances. With eight first-class centuries since 2022, Ghulam is only behind Azhar Ali, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel among Pakistan players with most tons in the red-ball format. 

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