Sarfaraz Khan knocks national team door with 96 against England Lions

In a recent turn of events, Sarfaraz Khan showcased his prowess once again, knocking on the doors of India's Test team with a brilliant 96-run innings against the England Lions.

The Mumbai batter played some brilliant shots and came frustratingly close to securing yet another red-ball hundred in a warm-up match in Ahmedabad. Despite the impressive performance, Sarfaraz is on the sidelines, overlooked for the upcoming England series. Undeterred, he channelled his frustration into a masterful inning, wreaking havoc on the England Lions bowling attack. His 110-ball knock, featuring 11 fours and a solitary six, not only entertained the crowd but also fueled the debate on his Test selection.

Batting at number four, Sarfaraz made a strong case for a spot in the middle-order, even though stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and the returning duo of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul currently occupy those positions. The right-hander's consistency in first-class cricket for Mumbai and stellar performances for India A have set the stage for a potential Test call-up.

Since his return to Mumbai in the 2019-20 season, Sarfaraz has undergone a remarkable transformation, boasting an impressive first-class average of nearly 70 in 43 matches, including 13 centuries. The aggressive batters's hunger for runs has not gone unnoticed, and the upcoming red-ball series against England Lions provides another golden opportunity for him to press his case for national selection.

Talking about Sarfarz's overall stats, in First-Class cricket, Sarfaraz has accumulated a substantial 3692 runs in 43 matches, showcasing his prowess with an impressive average of 69.66. His ability to convert starts into big scores is evident with 13 centuries. On the List A front, Sarfaraz has amassed 629 runs in 37 matches, including 2 centuries, at an average of 34.94.

As the cricketing world awaits the clash between India A and England Lions on January 17, all eyes will be on Sarfaraz, who is poised to make a strong statement and continue his relentless pursuit of a coveted spot in the Indian Test squad.