Sarfaraz quits Uttar Pradesh, wants to play for Mumbai
MUMBAI:: After a three-year stint with Uttar Pradesh, Sarfaraz Khan has decided to return to his roots and has written to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to be considered for selection for the Mumbai teams.
On Monday, Sarfaraz submitted his application and No Objection Certificate from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to the MCA.
The 20-year-old Sarfaraz is a Mumbai cricket product. He was a prolific scorer in the interschool cricket and age-group teams for Mumbai, before making his Ranji debut for the city in December 2014, against Bengal. However, unable to find a permanent spot in the senior team, he opted for Uttar Pradesh in the 2015-16 domestic season. The middle-order batsman missed out on the Ranji Trophy season last year due to a knee injury. He played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Sarfaraz’s father and coach, Naushad Khan, said he was the one instrumental in Sarfaraz’s move to Uttar Pradesh, but his son now wants to play for his home team. “It had been my decision to opt for Uttar Pradesh, for more opportunities. Sarfaraz was only 17 then, and went along with my decision. He has matured now and has decided to play for Mumbai. He is ready to wait for his chances,” said Naushad.
Sarfaraz had an option in playing for Services as he had an offer from the Indian Navy cricket team. “Sarfaraz was given the offer letter by the Navy, but he said he wants to play for Mumbai only, even if he has to serve the cooling off period. He is confident if he works hard and performs, Mumbai will take him back.”
According to a MCA official, the cooling off period is one year for a player who has earlier played for Mumbai and two years for others.
In the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, Sarfaraz finished as the second-highest runscorer, with 355 runs from six matches.
At 12, Sarfaraz had shot to limelight after scoring 439 for Rizvi Springfield against Indian Education Society School, Kandivali, which was then the highest score in Harris Shield. FINAL RESULTS
Men’s: Tanmay Rane bt Viren Patel 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 13-11, 11-1; Veteran’s: Suhas Rane bt Rajesh Singh 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-9; Boys’ - Youth: Jignesh Rahatwal bt Tanmay Rane 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7.
Women’s: Diviya Deshpande bt Anannya Basak 12-10, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8; Doubles: Mamta Prabhu/senhora D’souza bt Shalmali Gosar/mrunmayee Mhatre 11-9, 11-6, 11-8.
Girls’ - Youth: Aditi Sinha bt Anannya Basak 11-6, 11-8, 11-1, 11-5; Junior:
Iron Born 3 (Rishab Singh, Nagesh Swamy, Floyd D’souza) bt BVSS SC 0; Millat FC Colts 1 (Faiz CK) bt Navkar FC 0.
KARAN SHINES
Andheri Recreation Club’s skipper Karan Anand won both his frames in their 3-1 win over Elphinstone Cricket Club in a quarter-final match of the Otters Club BSAM Mumbai Z3-snooker League 2018.