The dream finally came true for Sarfaraz Khan as years of hard work paid off for him on Thursday (15th February), a day he will always remember in his life. The Mumbai batter made his debut for India in the ongoing third Test against England in Rajkot.
Sarfaraz Khan also got the opportunity to bat on the very first day of the game itself. The batter came out to bat when Rohit Sharma got out in the in the 64th over. The batter looked settled right from the start and had no nerves. He got off the mark on the 4th ball of the 66th over.
Mark Wood bowled a low full-toss on leg-stump, Sarfaraz Khan’s feet don’t move too well. The batted was expecting the short one but he managed to clip it towards the left of mid-wicket. The midfield allowed him to get off the mark.
As Sarfaraz Khan got off the mark, his parents, who were present in the stands, stood up and applauded him. The video of them giving the batter a standing ovation has gone viral on the internet. Here’s the clip:
1st run in international test cricket by #Sarfaraz #SarfarazKhan ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/WXI8x2orFU
— Anurag Kumar (@realanuragkumar) February 15, 2024
After Sarfaraz Khan got his first runs, he didn’t look back and played a stellar innings. The Mumbai batter made sure he made a statement on his debut innings and raced away to a fifty. The batter played spin sensationally well and made England blowers think a lot.
As Sarfaraz Khan went to his half-century, it lifted the entire crowd up. He tucked the good length delivery to the backward square leg region and got there off the bowling of Tom Hartley. He looked in complete control of his innings and didn’t put a foot wrong.
Not only the crowd, Sarfaraz Khan with his half-century made his family and India captain Rohit Sharma gave him a standing ovation. They all were delighted after the batter reached his half-century. Here’s the video:
— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) February 15, 2024
I have been waiting for this moment – Sarfaraz Khan’s father on his son’s debut
Sarfaraz Khan’s father Naushad Khan was elated after his son made his debut. He got emotional and said that he had been waiting for his moment for a long time. He said that he always had a belief that his son would make his debut. Speaking to Jio Cinema, he explained:
“First of all, I want to thank the almighty who let me see the day. The tears are of happiness. I have been waiting for this moment and many times I thought of crying. But I was the father and also the coach and it would not have been good if I had cried. That’s why, I could not hold it today.
“Every coach and father has the belief that his son will one day play for the country. But the world believes only when he receives the cap. I never thought that it would always remain a dream. I knew that it would take time, have seen many. Some of them would get it early. Some would have to wait for long.”
With the way Sarfaraz Khan was batting, he was looking all set for a big ton. It would have been icing on the cake for him if he had got his ton on his debut. But he got run out.
