Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Pakistan’s new batting sensation Kamran Ghulam, who scored a century on his Test debut. The 29-year-old played exceptionally well on Day 1 of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan.

Taking Babar Azam‘s place in the Playing XI, Kamran made his performance count. Pakistan were two down with just 19 runs on the board when Kamran came out to bat. He completed his fifty in 104 balls. The right-handed batter continued to defy England bowlers and completed his first Test hundred off 192 balls. Ashwin, who has been commenting on Pakistan cricket, took to X to praise the batter.

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

Ashwin will play for India in the first Test against New Zealand.

Babar Azam is a legend – Kamran Ghulam

Kamran Ghulam heaped massive praise on Babar Azam, who was removed from the Test team after his failures in the past nine games.

“Babar Azam is a legend, but on the back of my mind I was thinking to give my 110%,” Ghulam said. “I had waited for four years after scoring consistently in first class cricket. I wasn’t worried about the wicket or the opposition, I just desperately wanted to get a chance and perform,” he said.a

Ghulam shared a 149-run stand with Saim Ayub.

“There was pressure when I walked out to bat because we had lost two quick wickets,” Ghulam said. “The ball was reversing good and it was also keeping low, but I was focused to do well and played with a positive frame of mind.”