Sarfaraz Khan has often been compared to legendary Pakistan batter Javed Miandad. On Day 4 of the first Test at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, he jumped like Miandad on the pitch but for different reasons. While Miandad was frustrated with Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More’s comments in World Cup 1992, Sarfaraz did it to catch the attention of his batting partner Rishabh Pant who did not listen to his call to deny a second run.
The incident took place on the first ball of the 56th over bowled by Matt Henry. Sarfaraz played the late cut towards deep backward point. Devon Conway had the ball in hand when Pant turned back to take a second run and did not look at Sarfaraz. He yelled, gestured no to Pant and when it did not work, he started jumping near the good length area at the non-striker’s end.
Meanwhile, Conway’s throw was way off the target and it allowed Pant to return safely as wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was far away from the stumps with gloves on. Pant avoided a major scare when he was batting on just six runs from 10 balls. Later, Sarfaraz told Pant to look at him or listen to his call before taking off from the crease.
Sarfaraz’s maiden Test ton
Sarfaraz went on to score his maiden Test century. He achieved the feat in the 57th over bowled by Tim Southee. He crossed the three figures from 110 balls. The partnership for the fourth wicket nearly got rid of the trail before rain interrupted play late into the first session.
Sarfaraz entered the list of Indian batters who have registered a duck and scored a century in the same Test. He became the 11th Indian batter to score a century in the third innings of a Test at no.4.
Pant hits fifty
Pant, who had an injury scare and did not keep wickets on Day 3, reached his half-century from 55 balls in the 71st over of the innings.
