Kamran was drafted in to replace out-of-form Babar Azam after Pakistan's innings defeat in the series opener, and the 29-year-old impressed immediately with a stellar 118 that included 11 fours and a six.
The batter, who had a low-key stint as an overseas professional in club cricket in Yorkshire last summer, showed plenty of poise.
Pakistan were reeling at 2-19 when Kamran walked in and the right-hander forged a 149-run stand with opener Saim Ayub (77) to steady the innings.
He also raised 65 runs with Mohammad Rizwan, who was batting on 37 not out at stumps with Salman Agha on five at the other end.
England celebrate after finally dismissing Kamran Ghulam who walks off with 118 on Test debut. (AP PHOTO)
"Babar Azam is a legend, but on the back of my mind I was thinking to give my 110%," Ghulam said.
"I had waited for four years after scoring consistently in first class cricket. I wasn't worried about the wicket or the opposition, I just desperately wanted to get a chance and perform."
With the match being played on the same pitch as last week it was an easy decision for Pakistan captain Shan Masood to bat first after winning the toss, but the innings did not initially go to plan.
After five overs of seam bowling, England captain Ben Stokes opted for spin from both ends and the decision paid off immediately.
Jack Leach beat Abdullah Shafique's tentative prod and uprooted the off-stump to dismiss the opener for seven.
In his next over the left-arm spinner dismissed Shan for three, getting the Pakistan skipper to flick a delivery from outside the off-stump into the hand of Zak Crawley at short mid-wicket.
"There was pressure when I walked out to bat because we had lost two quick wickets," Ghulam said.
"The ball was reversing good and it was also keeping low, but I was focused to do well and played with a positive frame of mind."
Kamran showed no nerves though as he stepped out against Leach hitting the spinner over his head for a big six.
Keen to break the stand Stokes, who missed England's last four Tests through injury, brought himself on after lunch and proved quite a handful with his swing and awkward bounce though a wicket eluded him.
Stokes maintained an attacking field, and Saim eventually fell into the trap, pushing a ball from Matthew Potts straight into the hand of the England captain at short mid-off.
Kamran got a lifeline on 79 when Ben Duckett spilled a tough catch at mid-on and the batter went on to bring up his hundred with a four off Joe Root.
After England took the new ball off-spinner Bashir ended Kamran's fine knock when the off-spinner lured him out, beat him with turn and knocked back the leg stump.
"We created a lot of chances over the course of the day," said Potts. "The wicket appeared to be flatter than we expected. The boys stuck at it and we are pleased where we are with it now."
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