Home Cricket Facts Throwback: When Haris Rauf slapped Babar Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam, who shone on Test debut

Throwback: When Haris Rauf slapped Babar Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam, who shone on Test debut

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Throwback: When Haris Rauf slapped Babar Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam, who shone on Test debut


Kamran Ghulam makes a dream Test debut

Kamran Ghulam marked his Test debut with a sensational performance, helping Pakistan recover from a shaky start against England on October 15, 2024. At a precarious 19/2 on Day 1, the 29-year-old played a composed knock and crucial. , scoring 118 off 224 deliveries before being dismissed by Shoaib Bashir. His century not only etched his name in history but also showed his ability to handle pressure at the highest level.

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Ghulam’s notable debut drew widespread praise from fans and pundits. Even Babar Azam, whom Ghulam replaced for the match, congratulated him on Instagram for the memorable knock. Ghulam became the 13th Pakistani to score a century on debut, and the second player to do so while batting at number 4 in his first Test.

Comparisons with Babar Azam

With Babar resting after a poor run in Test cricket, fans quickly began comparing Ghulam’s performance with that of the former Pakistan captain. Over the past two years, Babar has struggled to live up to the high expectations set by his previous exploits in the longest format. Ghulam’s instant success sparked debates over his potential to become a key figure for Pakistan, while some questioned whether Babar’s absence could open up new opportunities for emerging talent.

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Haris Rauf slap incident resurfaces

Amid the celebrations surrounding Ghulam’s debut, fans also recalled a joyful but viral moment involving him and Haris Rauf from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022. The incident occurred during a match between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi, where both Ghulam and Rauf played for the Qalandars.

Watch the incident here:

After taking a wicket, Rauf became frustrated by an earlier catch by Ghulam and playfully slapped his teammate during the celebration. Despite the unexpected gesture, Ghulam responded with laughter, spreading the moment and continuing to celebrate with Rauf and the rest of the team.