New Delhi: Sarfaraz Khan sent a strong message to the Indian team selectors with a sensational century in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament contest in Chennai. Sarfaraz’s counter-attacking knock of 111 helped Mumbai get out of trouble against Haryana in a fitting clash on Tuesday.
Mumbai were struggling at 84/4 at one stage on the opening day of the match after choosing to bat first when the the Indian sensation took complete control of the game. The right-handed Mumbai batter smashed five sixes and nine boundaries during his 112-ball innings to help the side recover from the precarious position.
Sarfaraz slams blazing ton
Sarfaraz got to his century off the 99th ball of his innings with a majestic maximum at the Pachaiyappa’s Ground. The talented batter had earlier scored a 138-run knock against TNCA XI earlier in the tournament. Sarfaraz, who made his Test debut for the Indian team against England last year in Rajkot, has been kept away from the Indian team after the tour of Australia.
The sensational batter was also not picked in the five-match Test series against England earlier in the year. India’s next assignment in the longest format is the home Test series against the West Indies which begins in Ahmedabad on October 2. The two-match series could serve as the comeback opportunity for the Mumbai batter who was ignored against England. His performance in the ongoing tournament should come handy in his selection for the Windies Test series.
Meanwhile, from 64/0, Mumbai lost the track as they lost four wickets in quick succession and scored just 20 runs. Musheer Khan (30) and Divyaansh Saxena (46) were able to make a mark with the bat but Pragnesh Kanpillewar (3) and Suryansh Shedge (1) failed to contribute in the innings. Shams Mulani was on 50 not out but Tanush Kotian missed his milestone as he fell for 48, with Mumbai reaching 346 for nine at stumps.