Former England captain Nasser Hussain, now an expert and commentator, has drawn a comparison between Pakistani batter Kamran Ghulam and the iconic Australian cricketer Steve Smith. This comes after Ghulam scored a century on his Test debut for the Shan Masood-led team on Tuesday, October 15. Batting at No. 4 in the second Test of the three-match series, Ghulam replaced Babar Azam and made an impressive 118 runs off 224 balls. He reached his century with a boundary on the final ball of the 74th over, becoming the 13th player to achieve this milestone on debut for Pakistan.
Nasser praised Ghulam’s technique and footwork, noting their resemblance to Smith’s style. He highlighted Ghulam’s ability to read the game as particularly impressive. The 29-year-old showcased a blend of aggression and resilience, helping his team avoid a batting collapse. Hussain observed that Ghulam took time to adjust to the conditions in Multan and played his shots wisely.
“He (Kamran Ghulam) had to wait for his opportunity. He’s been consistently scoring runs over the past three years. He found the right mix of offense and defense. There’s a bit of Steve Smith in how he defends and then attacks. He carries a certain swagger,” Nasser commented on Sky Sports.
Ghulam was called up to the Test squad as a replacement for Babar. Nasser believes that Ghulam’s century will significantly boost the selectors’ confidence in him.
The former England captain remarked on the current challenges facing Pakistan cricket, particularly in light of their recent streak of six consecutive losses. He noted the selection of debutant Kamran, who impressively scored a century while replacing Babar Azam, a player regarded as one of the greatest in Pakistan’s cricket history. The selectors are likely to feel a sense of relief regarding this decision.
Ghulam contributed significantly by forming a 149-run partnership with Saib Ayub for the third wicket, aiding Pakistan in recovering from a precarious position of 19 for 2 to conclude the day’s play at 259 for the loss of five wickets after 90 overs.
