Babar Azam's reaction goes viral after Test substitute Kamran Ghulam bangs debut note

Pakistan cricket team batsman Kamran Ghulam impressed everyone on his debut as he hit a tough century on the first day of the second Test match against England on Tuesday. Ghulam looked relaxed against the English bowlers and ended up scoring 118 off 224 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and 1 six. The 29-year-old replaced Babar Azam in the starting XI after the former Pakistan captain exited following a miserable performance. Following the audio, Babar took to social media to congratulate Ghulam on his performance, writing on his Instagram story, “Well played, Kamran.”

Kamran Ghulam scored a superb century on his debut to guide Pakistan to 259-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England in Multan on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old replaced the out-of-form Babar Azam at number four and thwarted England's aggressive bowling and fielding by scoring 118.

At the end of a balanced day of play, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha were unbeaten with 37 and five points respectively.

The day ended Ghulam's frustrating long wait for a place in the Pakistan team after he smashed a national record of 1,249 runs in the 2020 domestic season.

Ghulam led a fightback after the hosts, who won the toss, were 19-2 and England spinner Jack Leach struck twice in the first hour.

Ghulam added 149 for the defiant third wicket with Saim Ayub, who scored a career-best 77, and another 65 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan.

He reached three figures with a boundary off spinner Joe Root, taking 280 minutes and becoming Pakistan's 12th batsman to score a century in his first Test.

Just half an hour before stumps, Ghulam was bowled by spinner Shoaib Bashir, completing a determined 323-minute knock, peppered with 11 fours and a six.

Ghulam said his century was a reward for his wait.

“It's a pleasure to score 100 and that too as a replacement for Babar Azam, who was a great player for Pakistan,” said Ghulam, who was well behind on 79 when Ben Duckett missed a difficult chance to run out.

“I watched this with bated breath, but the Almighty was kind to me,” Ghulam said.

(With AFP inputs)