England vs Pakistan: Debutant Kamran Ghulam hits century as tourists claim five wickets on day one of second Test
Kamran Ghulam, playing in his first Test match for Pakistan, scored his first Test century as England took five wickets on the opening day of the second Test in Multan.
Ghulam (118) formed a solid partnership of 149 runs with Saim Ayub (77) after Pakistan’s captain chose to bat first on a worn pitch. This performance made Ghulam the first player batting at No. 4 to achieve a first-ever century against England. However, he was eventually bowled out by Shoaib Bashir (1-66) in the evening phase of the game.
Pakistan finished the day at 259-5, bouncing back after Jack Leach's (2-92) quick double wicket spell had put them in a tough spot at 19-2 within the first 10 overs on a worn pitch that offered spin, narrowly escaping a possible collapse.
Wednesday, October 16th, 5:50 AM
Match Overview - Pakistan vs England, Second Test
Pakistan's score stands at 259 for 5 after 90 overs, with Kamran Ghulam contributing a solid 118 runs and Saim Ayub adding 77. Jack Leach bowled well, taking 2 wickets for 92 runs.
Brydon Carse (1-14) and Matthew Potts (1-36) each claimed a wicket as they took advantage of the lateral movement available, which was a significant difference from the lifeless pitch seen in the first Test. Meanwhile, captain Ben Stokes returned from his hamstring injury and bowled five overs.
Muhammad Rizwan, who scored 37 runs, and Salman Ali Agha, with 5 runs, successfully handled the challenge of the second new ball. They played thoughtfully as the pitch became less favorable as the day progressed.
The hosts made significant adjustments to their team by removing Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the lineup. They are aiming to equalize the three-match series after losing the first Test to England by an innings and 47 runs last week.
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England Capitalizes On Movement In Multan
Pakistan's opening batsmen, Abdullah Shafique (7) and Saim Ayub (77), managed a 15-run partnership, which was the best they had achieved together. However, Leach's two wickets prevented the partnership from growing any larger.
The Somerset bowler was able to generate spin and grip during the morning session, ultimately knocking over Shafique’s off stump with a ball that straightened at the last moment and slipped past his defenses.
The pressure mounted on Pakistan's top-order to deliver, especially after the loss of Babar. Unfortunately, their captain Shan Masood only scored 3 runs and had a disappointing outing, as he lasted just seven balls before hitting a shot that was caught by Zak Crawley at short midwicket off Leach's bowling.
Kamran found his rhythm, scoring 11 boundaries and a six as he utilized the afternoon session to build a solid foundation, skillfully handling the reverse swing conditions in Multan.
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Saim hit a shot past mid-on for two runs, marking his third Test fifty and helping to solidify Pakistan's innings.
Potts, who took over from Gus Atkinson for the second Test, achieved a significant moment for England right before the tea break by having Saim caught by Stokes at mid-off.
England's wicketkeeper Jamie Smith made a quick catch to dismiss Saud Shakeel, who scored just 4 runs. Shakeel was caught off guard by the extra bounce generated by Carse.
England displayed great agility on the field, pursuing every ball towards the boundary, just as head coach Brendon McCullum had directed them. However, Ben Duckett made a mistake that could prove costly when he missed a catch off Kamran's bat while he was on 78, positioned at mid-on.
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Kamran celebrated his achievement in style, hitting a powerful slog sweep off Joe Root (0-24) for four runs, then pumping his fist in excitement and kissing the ground in joy. It was especially meaningful that he experienced this moment at the crease with Rizwan, who had presented him with his debut cap earlier.
Rizwan needed 20 balls before he scored his first run, which he achieved with a sweeping shot off Leach that brought him four runs. He also got a bit of luck when an edge he had off Potts was not caught, as England chose not to challenge the call.
Bashir eventually ended the 65-run partnership when Kamran stepped out to the pitch, misjudged the delivery, and got bowled.
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The wicket came as a boost for England towards the end of the day, and it was especially encouraging for their young off-spinner, who had only taken one wicket in the first Test.
Rizwan is among the best players in Pakistan, and Salman is known for his ability to bat effectively with lower-order batsmen. Therefore, the home team will aim to achieve a total over 300 runs on the second day.
Mumtaz: Kamran Seized His Chance
Urooj Mumtaz from Sky Sports comments on Kamran Ghulam's century:
"Kamran Ghulam has been a constant presence on the sidelines for quite a while. He certainly earned his spot and took full advantage of the chance he was given."
"He's an individual who has consistently scored runs in domestic cricket. Since 2020, his average has been around 50. This year alone, he has hit three centuries and is maintaining an impressive average of roughly 66."
His name was one that truly deserved a spot, so there wasn't much criticism regarding Kamran stepping in for Babar.
"The main idea was to move away from Babar."
Hussain: Kamran Exudes Confidence
Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain discusses Kamran's first appearance:
"He’s had to be patient. Over the past three years, he has been consistently racking up impressive scores."
"He struck a good balance between offense and defense. They lost a few early wickets, which can be challenging, especially for someone making their debut; however, that experience likely benefited him."
Players from Pakistan often enjoy using the sweep shot, and he definitely has that skill in his repertoire. He also made good use of his footwork.
"He resembles Steve Smith when he defends the ball and goes on the attack. There's a certain confidence to his style."
Pakistan Vs England Schedule: Watch Live On Sky Sports
First Match: Multan - October 7-11 - England triumphed by an innings and 47 runs.
Second Match: Multan - October 15-19
Third Match: Rawalpindi - October 24-28
All matches of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from October 3 to October 20. Australia is striving to win its third consecutive title and seventh overall, while England hopes to secure its first victory since the tournament began back in 2009.
Tune in to watch the second day's action of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, available live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event starting at 5:50 AM on Wednesday, with the game kicking off at 6 AM. You can also stream it on NOW.
