Pakistan have called up Kamran Ghulam for the remainder of their Test series against England. Here’s everything you need to know about the 29-year-old all-rounder.
After Pakistan’s demoralising defeat in the first Test against England in Multan, their squad underwent wholesale changes, with regulars like Babar, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah snubbed owing to poor form. Ghulam is one of the three uncapped players who received their maiden test call-up. He has also been named in the XI, slotted in at No.4 to replace Babar, whose form has nosedived drastically.
Born in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, Ghulam is an all-rounder who bats with his right hand and bowls left-arm orthodox spin. He was a part of Pakistan's squad in the 2014 U19 World Cup where he scored 100 runs in six games and took three wickets at an economy of 3.97.
Consistent performer in domestic cricket
Ghulam, 29, is a seasoned campaigner in the domestic circuit, but somehow a consistent international run has eluded him. His professional career, spanning over a decade, has seen him score 4,525 first-class runs at an average of 49.72 besides 3,344 List A runs at 42.32.
He represented Pakistan in an ODI against New Zealand in 2023 but didn’t bat or bowl. The chance came after an impressive List A season for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he scored 966 runs at 64.4 while striking at 92. Last month, he became the first batter to hit a hundred in the newly-introduced Champions One-Day Cup. Ghulam scored 115 runs off 102 balls with 12 fours and three sixes to help Markhors beat Panthers in the curtain-raiser by 160 runs.
A well deserved selection of Kamran Ghulam should get all the appreciation. His selection depict his hard work at domestic level. Good luck
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 13, 2024
Ghulam’s first-class numbers since 2023 also make impressive reading. In this period, he has accumulated 1,055 runs at 55.53, smashing seven tons in 13 matches. Out of these centuries, five have come this year, including one for Pakistan A against Bangladesh A in August. In the first match, Ghulam, batting at No.4, hit an unbeaten 100 off 161 balls.
Ghulam has 31 first-class wickets to his name as well. However, the lion's share of those numbers came before 2020 as he has only picked three wickets in the last four years. His first-class best of 4-58 came against Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority in the 2017-18 season.
What could Pakistan's playing XI be without Babar, Naseem, and Shaheen? 🤔
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 13, 2024
See who we’ve picked here! ➡️ https://t.co/p8iTMIq8tb pic.twitter.com/eOyHOXPPnE
However, in the List A format, he bowls more regularly, having 68 wickets from 94 matches at an average of 27.42 and an economy of 5.02. He has two five-wicket-hauls to his tally, including a 7-23 against National Bank of Pakistan in 2018-19.
Having earned his maiden Test call-up in 2022/23 against New Zealand, Ghulam is yet to represent his country in the format. He was also part of the Test squad against Bangladesh before the England series but didn't get to play.
His hard graft in domestic cricket has paved another opportunity, and this time, he is set to make his debut, taking the No.4 slot left vacant by Babar. How long of a rope he gets in the current Pakistan cricket setup is anyone's guess, but a good start with the bat can help him cement his spot.
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