Dumsha Wijesinghe JadeTimes Staff
W.G.S.D.Wijesinghe is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Sports News
Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam delivered an exceptional century on his Test debut, steering his team to 259-5 on the first day of the second Test in Multan. In a pivotal moment for Pakistan, Ghulam's 118 steadied the innings after the early dismissal of key batsmen and justified the decision to include him in the squad following Babar Azam's surprise exclusion.
Ghulam's Determination Amid Early Wickets
Facing the pressure of replacing one of Pakistan’s most celebrated cricketers, Ghulam rose to the occasion, sharing a crucial 149 run partnership with Saim Ayub (77). This stand helped Pakistan recover from a precarious 19-2, when spinner Jack Leach had reduced them to two quick wickets within the first 10 overs.
While England initially seemed set for a repeat of their dominant spin led performance from the previous Test, Ghulam and Ayub took a more aggressive approach, showing that runs could be made on a recycled pitch that many thought would be a lottery.
England's Seamers Strike Back with Reverse Swing
Despite England's spinners struggling to maintain control, their seamers, led by Ben Stokes, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts, made significant inroads after tea. Reverse swing and low bounce created challenges for Pakistan, but Ghulam found a valuable ally in wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan, who added 37 runs to the total. England missed an opportunity to dismiss Rizwan when they opted not to review an edge off Potts.
Stokes, playing his first Test since July, along with his Durham teammates, put Pakistan under pressure in the latter half of the day. However, Ghulam’s gritty knock held the innings together, showcasing his ability to counter both spin and pace.
Ghulam Reaches Milestone, but Bashir Strikes Late
Ghulam brought up his century from 192 balls, celebrating emotionally towards the home dressing room. His innings was a mix of aggression and composure, particularly against spin, where his footwork stood out. However, Shoaib Bashir, who had endured a tough day, finally dismissed Ghulam late in the day. Ghulam misjudged a delivery, getting bowled, leaving the Test delicately balanced.
Pitch Dynamics and Tactical Adjustments
The use of the same pitch from the first Test created uncertainty about its behavior, leading to contrasting team selections. While Pakistan banked on three spinners, England trusted their seamers, who played a pivotal role across the afternoon. The seamers found success on the deteriorating pitch, with balls occasionally keeping low, hinting at a challenging task for England, who will have to bat last.
Post Day Reflections
Reflecting on the day's play, England fast bowler Matthew Potts admitted the pitch was flatter than expected but remained optimistic about England's chances. “We created a lot of chances over the course of the day,” he said, emphasizing the importance of early breakthroughs on day two.
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub noted the dual-paced nature of the pitch and the challenges it presented for batting. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja praised Ghulam’s temperament and footwork against spin, highlighting areas for improvement against pace in the future.
