Why Sarfaraz Khan isn't playing Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinal after fastest List A fifty by IND batter

Mumbai's in-form batter Sarfaraz Khan did not take the field in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26 quarterfinal against Karnataka on January 12. Sarfaraz who smashed the fastest List A fifty by an India batter, missed the knockout clash against Mayank Agarwal's men as he got injured while batting in the nets.

As per a report by TOI, Sarfaraz was struck on his finger by a delivery bowled by Sairaj Patil in the nets.

From five innings, Sarfaraz scored 303 runs at an average of 75.75 and strike rate of 190.56. In his absence, Mumbai managed to post a total of 254/8 after Agarwal put them to bat first at BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru.

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Mumbai's top-order got off to a cautious start and failed to convert it into big scores. Shams Mulani's 91-ball 86 and Patil's unbeaten 25-ball 33 cameo took Mumbai to a respectable total. This was Mulani’s List A career best score. Sarfaraz's replacement, Ishan Mulchandani managed to score 20 runs from 32 balls.

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Vidyadhar Patil claimed three wickets whereas Vidwath Kaverappa and Abhilash Shetty had two scalps apiece.

Not just Sarfaraz, Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande was missing from the quarterfinal lineup as well. Deshpande had to rush back to home due to personal reasons.