NEW DELHI: Debutant Kamran Ghulam expressed the significant pressure he felt to deliver a strong performance after being selected to replace Babar Azam in the team. On Tuesday, he rose to the challenge by scoring a determined century in his first Test match .
Ghulam acknowledged that his unwavering dedication and hard work in domestic cricket over the past four years had finally yielded the desired results.
The debutant's impressive feat was achieved on a challenging recycled pitch in Multan, where Pakistan reached a total of 259 for 5 at the end of the first day of the second Test against England .
By scoring 118 runs off 224 balls while batting at the No. 4 position, which is usually occupied by Babar Azam, Ghulam became the 13th Pakistani batsman to achieve a century in his debut Test match. Notably, he is the first player to accomplish this milestone against England.
"It has been frustrating waiting for nearly four years to finally get a chance to play for Pakistan. I had so much passion and wanted to do well when I got the chance," Kamran told mediapersons after the day's play.
"I waited patiently as I knew sooner or later I would get my chance. I think years of grinding it out in domestic cricket has given me the temperament and skills to play on all sorts of pitches and all types of bowlers.
"Just the habit of getting runs in domestic cricket prepares you for the big stage rest is all about temperament and handling the pressure," he added.
Ghulam acknowledged the challenge of replacing a player like Babar, who has such exceptional skills and a formidable presence on the field.
"Yes the pressure was there playing in his (Babar) place but I think the desire I had to succeed overrode that pressure."
Ghulam's century arrived at a perfect time when both the selection committee and the Pakistan Cricket Board faced criticism for their bold decision to exclude Babar from the final two Tests against England, due to his struggling form with the bat.
"I am just happy that he (Kamran Ghulam) got his chance at last and he grabbed it with both hands," a national selector said.
Ghulam finally got a chance after he hit two centuries in the recent Champions Cup ODI event organised by the board in Faisalabad.
Ghulam acknowledged that his unwavering dedication and hard work in domestic cricket over the past four years had finally yielded the desired results.
The debutant's impressive feat was achieved on a challenging recycled pitch in Multan, where Pakistan reached a total of 259 for 5 at the end of the first day of the second Test against England .
By scoring 118 runs off 224 balls while batting at the No. 4 position, which is usually occupied by Babar Azam, Ghulam became the 13th Pakistani batsman to achieve a century in his debut Test match. Notably, he is the first player to accomplish this milestone against England.
"It has been frustrating waiting for nearly four years to finally get a chance to play for Pakistan. I had so much passion and wanted to do well when I got the chance," Kamran told mediapersons after the day's play.
"I waited patiently as I knew sooner or later I would get my chance. I think years of grinding it out in domestic cricket has given me the temperament and skills to play on all sorts of pitches and all types of bowlers.
"Just the habit of getting runs in domestic cricket prepares you for the big stage rest is all about temperament and handling the pressure," he added.
Ghulam acknowledged the challenge of replacing a player like Babar, who has such exceptional skills and a formidable presence on the field.
"Yes the pressure was there playing in his (Babar) place but I think the desire I had to succeed overrode that pressure."
Ghulam's century arrived at a perfect time when both the selection committee and the Pakistan Cricket Board faced criticism for their bold decision to exclude Babar from the final two Tests against England, due to his struggling form with the bat.
"I am just happy that he (Kamran Ghulam) got his chance at last and he grabbed it with both hands," a national selector said.
Ghulam finally got a chance after he hit two centuries in the recent Champions Cup ODI event organised by the board in Faisalabad.
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