Kamran Ghulam Makes a Mark: Test Debutant Hits Record-Breaking Century After Replacing Babar Azam

Kamran Ghulam replaced Babar Azam and hit a stunning century against England on Tuesday to become only the second Pakistan batter to score a hundred while batting at number four on debut. The first was Saleem Malik in 1982. He is also the sixth batter in Test history to score a century at number four on debut. The last to do so was Aminul Islam of Bangladesh in 2000. Overall, Ghulam also became the 13th Pakistani to score a century on Test debut.Despite scoring a bucketload of runs in the domestic arena, Ghulam would have been under tremendous pressure, especially considering the current circumstances with his team down 0-1 in the series, replacing Babar Azam in the XI before walking in at 19/2, up against a pumped up England bowling attack. His fighting hundred came in 192 balls and was laced with nine fours and a solitary six.His effort was widely praised on social with India off-spinner R Ashwin leading the way. “With all the talk about "Babar" spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a hundred,” wrote Ashwin on X.

With all the talk about”Babar” spare a thought for Kamran Ghulam, walks into a storm and makes a 👌👌 hundred. 🔥🔥 #PAKvENG

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 15, 2024

Kamran Ghulam's family emotional and in tears as he gets to his century on Test debut. This is what it means to play for your country 😭😭❤️❤️❤️#PAKvENG #tapmad #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/qMVGNTpaX0

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 15, 2024

Kamran Ghulam shines bright! 👏
List of 🇵🇰 players who scored a century on their Test debut.#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/AkUWa1ROk0

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 15, 2024

Who Is Kamran Ghulam?Kamran Ghulam made his domestic cricket debut in 2013 but it was in the season of 2020-21 that he truly made a mark whe he became the first cricketer to score over 1,000 runs in a single Qaid-e-Azam Trophy season.In PSL, he has lifted won the title three times. His maiden ODI appearance was in January 2023 against New Zealand. However, he did so as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail.