Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam made a remarkable debut in the second Test match against England at Multan on Tuesday, scoring an impressive 118 runs. — Reuters

Kamran Ghulam delivered a fluent century on his Test debut, steering Pakistan to 259 for five on the first day of the second Test against England on Tuesday. With Pakistan resting an out-of-form Babar Azam following their innings defeat in the series opener, Kamran was brought into the team and the 29-year-old made an immediate impact with a stellar 118 that included 11 fours and a six. Pakistan were struggling at 19-2 when Kamran came to the crease, but the right-hander stabilized the innings by forging a 149-run partnership with opener Saim Ayub (77). He also added 65 runs with Mohammad Rizwan, who was unbeaten on 37 at stumps with Salman Agha on five at the other end.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss but soon regretted his decision to bat first. After five overs of seam bowling, England captain Ben Stokes opted for spin from both ends, a decision that quickly paid off. Jack Leach dismissed opener Abdullah Shafique for seven and then got rid of Shan Masood for three, catching the Pakistan skipper off a flick to Zak Crawley at short mid-wicket. Kamran showed no signs of nerves, stepping out against Leach and hitting the spinner for a big six. He and Saim returned after lunch to consolidate Pakistan's position, with Kamran reaching his maiden Test fifty off Shoaib Bashir. Keen to break the stand, Stokes brought himself on and proved difficult to handle with his swing and bounce, though he did not take a wicket. Stokes maintained an attacking field, and Saim eventually fell into the trap, pushing a ball from Matthew Potts straight into the hands of the England captain at short mid-off. Kamran was given a lifeline on 79 when Ben Duckett dropped a catch at mid-on, and the batter went on to score his hundred with a four off Joe Root. Off-spinner Bashir ended Kamran's fine knock when he lured the batter out, beat him with turn, and knocked back the leg stump. England were strengthened by the return of Stokes, who missed their comprehensive victory in the opening Test at the same venue due to a hamstring injury. Stung by the defeat, Pakistan have dropped Babar as well as frontline pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.