WATCH: Harris Rauf Slaps Kamran Ghulam, Babar Azam's Replacement, During a PSL Match

On Tuesday, October 15, Kamran Ghulam created history in his Test debut for Pakistan against England. He became the 13th Pakistani cricketer to score a century in his very first Test match, solidifying his place in the record books. What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that he is the first Pakistani batter to accomplish this feat while batting at the No. 4 position. Additionally, he is only the second Pakistani batter overall to score a century at that slot in their debut innings. Kamran Ghulam's remarkable performance has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on Pakistan's cricketing history.

Kamran Ghulam stepped in as a replacement for the ‘rested’ Babar Azam, who was left out of the squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests following a series of low scores in the longest format. The 29-year-old seized his opportunity, arriving at the crease when Pakistan was struggling at 19/2 on Day 1. He delivered a crucial innings, scoring 118 runs off 224 balls before being dismissed by Shoaib Bashir. Ghulam’s gutsy performance drew widespread praise, including a congratulatory message from Babar Azam on Instagram, acknowledging the brilliance of his debut knock.

Fans on social media have highlighted how Kamran Ghulam, in his very first outing, showcased his potential and proved his worth, contrasting it with Babar Azam’s struggles over the past two years in Test cricket. The comparisons have emphasized Ghulam’s immediate impact, while many pointed out Babar’s inability to meet expectations in the longest format recently.

Amid the recent attention on Kamran Ghulam, fans recalled a 2022 incident when Haris Rauf playfully “slapped” him during a PSL match after a dropped catch. The moment sparked debate at the time, but both players have since moved on, with Ghulam now making headlines for his performances.

Time when Harris Rauf Slapped Kamran Ghulam in PSL pic.twitter.com/U3Y9N7rKT9

— Shah (@ipagshah00) October 15, 2024

The incident occurred during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match between Peshawar Zalmi and Lahore Qalandars, with both Haris Rauf and Kamran Ghulam playing for the latter. A video shared by the PSL’s official X account showed Rauf taking a wicket and, during the celebration, suddenly slapping Ghulam with an irritated expression. Ghulam, however, reacted by bursting into laughter, and the duo quickly resumed their celebration. The moment, though initially surprising, was taken in stride by both players.

The slap incident stemmed from Kamran Ghulam missing a catch off one of Haris Rauf’s overs, which the pacer did not take lightly. During the celebration of a later wicket, Rauf playfully slapped Ghulam in frustration, though the moment quickly turned lighthearted as Ghulam laughed it off.

As for the ongoing match, at stumps on Day 1, Pakistan were at 259/5, with Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan steadying the innings for the home side.