Pak vs Eng 2nd Test – Kamran Ghulam – I’ve been waiting for my chance that’s what I thought

“I’ve been waiting for my chance for a long time but I didn’t give up,” said Ghulam, 29. “I’ve been waiting for my chance. That’s all I could think about. I kept getting selected and then left out of the squads, and all I could think about was how to take the opportunity that was given to me.”

That thinking has paid off. Ghulam came into the team under a lot of pressure when he replaced Babar Azam. This was also highlighted by the condition in which they came out – Pakistan were 19 for 2, losing Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique cheaply as England’s spinners threatened to cause mayhem.

“When I came to the wicket we were down by two wickets. But I wanted to play with a sense like I do in first-class cricket. That was at the back of my mind, and I wanted to play my natural game.”

And Ghulam’s homework is very big. Only 12 players have scored more runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy since his debut in 2013, with his average, less than 50, putting him behind Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel and Usman Salahuddin.

That’s what he drew on as he negotiated a difficult opening session, laying down his powerful shots before lunch, and setting the stage for a 149-run stand with Saim Ayub that eased England’s hold on the game. He waited for Ayub to fall, building another 65-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan, where he brought up his century by slapping over midwicket to Joe Root. By the time he fell, missed by a clean sweep by Shoaib Bashir, he had scored 118: his 17th first-class century.

“I scored many first class runs,” said Ghulam. “I didn’t care about the place or the team, I just needed to start playing. I knew I had a hard job behind me, and I’m thankful that the job paid off.”

He also acknowledged the circumstances in which he made his debut, and respected the man he replaced. “Babar is a great player and in my mind I thought he is a legend, he is a great player. But I thought I would give 110% and play with common sense. I knew I had to take my chance. .”

“And,” he said in his weak, soft, low-pitched voice, “when it comes, I’ve done well.”