Kamran Ghulam’s Heroics Lead Pakistan’s Fightback

After enduring a tough stretch in recent months, Pakistan Cricket finally found something to celebrate on the opening day of the second Test in Multan. Kamran Ghulam delivered a determined century in his first Test innings, providing a much-needed lift to his struggling team. Ghulam’s resilient knock of 118 helped Pakistan reach 259 for 5 by the end of the day.

Ghulam’s innings came to an end when he was bowled by Shoaib Bashir as he looked to stay aggressive before stumps. Though his effort didn’t yield an enormous total by the standards England set on the same pitch last week, it laid a solid foundation for Pakistan to build on.

After Pakistan's first-innings 556 in the opening Test still resulted in an innings defeat, Ghulam’s determination, alongside a career-best 77 from Saim Ayub and a patient 37 not out from Mohammad Rizwan, kept Pakistan on course for a competitive 300-plus total. With a spin-heavy bowling attack, Pakistan could take advantage of a pitch that was heavily watered and dried over the four-day turnaround.

However, Pakistan might face challenges with the tools they lack. While Jack Leach picked up two early wickets—bringing his tally to nine in three innings on this surface—the most dangerous period came from England’s reverse swing during the afternoon session, expertly delivered by a three-man seam attack, all hailing from Durham. Ben Stokes, making his return to the team after a hamstring injury, also contributed to this threat. Without Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, Pakistan will need Aamer Jamal to step up and utilise similar reverse swing tactics.

For now, Ghulam’s performance at 29 years old, becoming the second-oldest Pakistani to score a debut century, has been the story of the day. His century came with a powerful shot through the leg side off Joe Root, after a tense wait in the 90s, which even included a break for drinks. Ghulam’s decade-long grind in Pakistan’s domestic circuit, where he amassed over 4500 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finally paid off on this grand stage.

Ghulam entered the crease with Pakistan at 19 for 2 in the tenth over. Leach had been introduced early, a decision by Stokes based on his quick assessment of the pitch. Leach struck twice, causing Pakistan to wobble, but Ghulam quickly demonstrated his ability to handle the conditions and rely on the skills that got him to this point. His first boundary, a six over Leach’s head, set the tone for his innings, and he reached his half-century off 104 balls—a milestone that eluded Babar Azam, who had been dropped due to poor form.

Ghulam faced just two deliveries of pace in his first 120 balls, but when Stokes entered the attack in the afternoon, the challenge intensified. Stokes immediately found Ghulam’s edge, sending the ball flying through the vacant slip cordon. Root later positioned himself close to the bat, ready for another chance, but it was Ayub who eventually fell. After a struggling series, Ayub finally reached double figures with Shafique, but he was dismissed for 7 by Leach, reducing Pakistan to 15 for 1. Shan Masood soon followed, caught by Zak Crawley for 3.

Despite the early wickets, Ayub’s 77 was a positive outcome for Pakistan, his third half-century in four innings, following two fifties against Bangladesh. England’s bowlers, especially Matthew Potts, consistently tested his outside edge before Stokes claimed his wicket with a sharp catch at silly mid-off, leaving Pakistan at 168 for 3.

Post-tea, Brydon Carse, relentless as always, rattled Saud Shakeel with a short ball before dismissing him for 4. England’s position could have been stronger had Ben Duckett held onto a catch from Ghulam when he was on 79, but Ghulam survived and continued to attack Leach.

Stokes’ disciplined bowling in the morning paid dividends in the evening, with Carse applying pressure on Rizwan, who endured 19 scoreless deliveries. Potts nearly dealt a blow when his first ball to Rizwan, then on 6, zipped past his bat, but England chose not to review, though replays showed the ball had clipped the bat’s splice.

Despite England’s efforts, they only managed one more breakthrough before the day ended. Bashir, though not as effective earlier, provided a crucial wicket with the second new ball, bowling Ghulam with a delivery that clipped the top of leg stump. This late strike might be pivotal in England’s push to keep Pakistan’s first-innings total within reach.