Anil Kumble presented Sarfaraz Khan with his first Test cap just before the curtain fell on the third and final day of the series in Rajkot, with his wife sitting next to him. Sarfaraz burst into tears as he ran to meet his father, Naushad – the most influential person in his life – and hugged him.
As the day progressed, he also reduced some of England’s bowlers to tears as his solid 62 from 66, cruelly left out of the final score, helped his country to 326 for five. During his knock, he showed courage, determination and will, qualities that proved he belonged at Test level. England’s bowlers tested him in every possible way – pace and seam bowling, different pitches and strange placements – but he had an answer for every question they threw at him.
“It was very nice. I came to the ground for the first time, I got the (India) cap, and my father was also there. I was 6 years old when he helped me start playing cricket. So it was just a dream that while he is alive, I want him to see me playing for the Indian team. It was my dream for him, so I liked it a lot.” Sarfaraz said while talking to the media in the post-match press conference.
“My father was not coming to the match first. After that, some people told him to go as this was a proud moment. So obviously, he had to come because he had worked so hard for this day. And he was also very emotional. My wife was also very emotional. It felt like I lost some weight from over my head. What he had worked on me for so many years, I didn’t let it get spoiled.”
As he finished at number six, Sarfaraz and his father’s labors were rewarded when he hammered a chic 62 of 66 balls and appeared to be headed for a high score. But his innings was cut short by a misunderstanding with Ravindra Jadeja in the middle, as Mark Wood ran him out at the non-striker’s end.
There was a minor misunderstanding. This is how the game works. A run-out occurs occasionally, a run occurs occasionally, and occasionally there isn’t. Thus, everything continues.
“Jadeja stated that there was a small misunderstanding. And I replied, “It’s alright.” It takes place. It contains nothing significant.
One day Sarfaraz Khan said to his father Abbu, “Even if I don’t get selected in the national team, we can still sell track pants on the local trains”
