Haris Rauf Saap Kamran Ghulam

Pakistan batsman Kamran Ghulam made a splendid debut, scoring a magnificent century against England on the first day of the second Test in Multan.

The 29-year-old scored 118 runs off 224 balls, including 11 fours and a six, taking Pakistan to a solid 259-5 at stumps. Ghulam's outstanding performance came when Pakistan was facing early trouble, losing two wickets for just 19 runs.

Replacing the out-of-form Babar Azam, Ghulam forged a crucial 149-run partnership for the third wicket with Saud Shakeel (77). He also shared a 65-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan (37*), helping Pakistan recover and end the day in a strong position. Ghulam completed his century in 280 minutes, becoming the 12th Pakistani batsman to score a century on Test debut, with a boundary off Root.

This success comes after a long wait for a national team spot following his record-breaking performance in the 2020 domestic season, where he scored 1,249 runs.

However, as Ghulam's name trended on social media, an old controversial video from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) resurfaced. In 2022, fast bowler Haris Rauf slapped Ghulam on the field after dropping a catch during a Lahore Qalandars match. Although the incident drew attention, both players quickly reconciled, with Rauf hugging Ghulam after the match.

Despite this past controversy, Ghulam's Test debut has now overshadowed that incident. His century has grabbed headlines and given Pakistan a fighting chance against England. His innings eventually ended when he was bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi just half an hour before the close of play.

haris rauf slap kamran ghulam