The jury is still out on whether Pakistan's team selection, which raised more eyebrows than hopes before the match, was inspired rather than desperate. So far, only one of their bold decisions has been put to the test, and Kamran Ghulam has exceeded all expectations. The debutant had a dream start to his Test career, despite coming in under dire circumstances with his team struggling at 19 for two. The phrase 'slowly and surely' could have been coined for his innings, as he eventually fell for 118, helping Pakistan to close the first day at 259 for five.
Kamran's selection was based on his stellar performance in domestic first-class cricket last winter, a couple of impressive innings in the recent one-day President's Cup, and the slump in form of Babar Azam. At 29, he brought a wealth of experience but also the daunting task of filling large shoes. The match situation as he walked out to bat would have tested anyone's nerves, but there was no sign of it as he settled into his work. His first 15 balls yielded four singles and solid defense; his 16th went for a six. This was an exception in an innings that prioritized safety over aggression, where he was more troubled by apparent cramp in his left arm than by England's bowling. His patience was particularly impressive, lasting 224 balls at the crease, though he faltered twice: once when he rushed at Leach after a dozen dot balls and miscued the ball just beyond Ben Duckett at midwicket, and again when he was bowled after a rash decision to rush at Bashir.
Kamran's partnership with Saim Ayub for the third wicket added 149 runs, stabilizing Pakistan after the early setbacks. As has been the trend, one opener fell early while the other made a significant contribution: Saim scored a smart 77, even surviving a couple of close calls when the ball deflected off his edge or glove and just out of a fielder's reach. If Shan Masood failed with the bat, he at least succeeded in his crucial role. The day began with a potentially career-saving toss for Pakistan's captain, given their gameplan relied heavily on favorable batting conditions at the start and spin-bowling conditions at the end. The coin fell in his favor, and they had to capitalize on it.
England started with five overs of seam before switching to spin, with Jack Leach becoming the first English spinner since 1889 to take two wickets in the first 10 overs of a Test. Contrary to expectations, there was life for fast bowlers: Ben Stokes's five-over spell set the tone, with Matt Potts and Brydon Carse taking the wickets. Saim's blunder shortly before tea and Carse's gentle movement after the interval brought Mohammad Rizwan to the crease. Rizwan's innings started awkwardly, with little evidence of his usual prowess, but he somehow reached stumps unbeaten on 37 off 89. Pakistan's plans for this game may have been born out of panic, but they are yet to cause any issues.
