Kamran Ghulam (Reuters Photo)
NEW DELHI: Former England captain Nasser Hussain was quick to heap praise on Pakistan’s Test debutant Kamran Ghulam, drawing comparisons to Australia’s Steve Smith for the 29-year-old’s balance of aggression and resilience at the crease.
Ghulam made an unforgettable impact on Tuesday, guiding his team out of early trouble with a masterful century against England in the second Test at Multan.
Nasser Hussain, speaking on Sky Sports, praised Ghulam’s adaptability in tricky conditions. “He had to wait his turn. He's been scoring prolific runs in the last three years. He got the right balance between attack and defence,” Hussain said.
Hussain was particularly struck by Ghulam’s “swagger” at the crease, noting how the debutant seamlessly switched between attacking strokes and defensive solidity. He likened Ghulam’s footwork and defensive technique to that of Steve Smith, adding, “He's got a bit of Steve Smith about him when he defends the ball and charges. He's got a bit of swagger about him.”
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Ghulam was brought into the squad as a replacement for Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, and he rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion.
His innings of 118 off 224 balls was the backbone of Pakistan’s recovery after they found themselves reeling at 19 for 2.
By stumps on Day 1, Pakistan had clawed their way to 259/5, thanks largely to Ghulam’s determined knock.
Facing a probing England attack, Ghulam handled pressure with ease.
Jack Leach, who had removed both Pakistani openers, was expertly neutralised by Ghulam. His 149-run stand with
Saim Ayub
(77) was critical in stabilising Pakistan’s innings.
Ghulam’s century, which came off 192 balls, was a gritty display of mental toughness and technical skill.
His innings included 11 boundaries and a six, with frequent strike rotation to keep England’s bowlers under pressure. It was a debut to remember—one that not only gave Pakistan hope but also hinted at a bright future for Ghulam at the international level.
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