'My Dad Told Me I Play Like Javed Miandad': Sarfaraz Khan Harbours Test Debut Dream Ahead Of IND vs ENG 2nd Test

Sarfaraz Khan boasts of 3912 runs from 45 first-class matches at an average of 69.85. He revealed that his father told him that he plays like the former Pakistan batter Javed Miandad.

Sarfaraz Khan finally earned a maiden India call-up after he was named as an injury replacement for the second IND vs ENG Test match set to commence at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on February 2 (Friday). Years after showing remarkable consistency, Sarfaraz could finally earn a maiden India Test cap, if he is trusted by the team management for the second Test in a series India trails 0-1 at home. 

While Sarfaraz boasts of 3912 runs from 45 first-class matches at an average of 69.85 and a strike rate of 70.48, he is by no means a one-season wonder. He became the first Indian to score over 900 runs in successive seasons of the Ranji Trophy and yet it has taken him two more years to get a call-up from the Indian team management. Having said that, it won't be easy for Sarfaraz against a side which has players like Joe Root whom he idolises. He revealed that his father told him he bats like Pakistani batter Javed Miandad.

I Like To Watch Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Vivian Richards: Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz shared the players he watches and learns from. He named Virat Kohli in the list. However, even if he gets a game in Vizag, Sarfaraz won't be able to be in the same dressing room as Kohli who has opted out of the first two Test matches citing personal reasons.

"I like to watch Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Sir Vivian Richards and even Javed Miandad because my dad has told me that I play like him. I watch Joe Root's batting also. Anyone who is succeeding, I am watching them to see how they are doing it so I can learn and apply it. I want to continue doing this, whether it's in the Ranji Trophy or playing for India in the future," Sarfaraz told JioCinema.

"My father introduced me to cricket, and I always wondered why am I even playing. I am an attacking batsman and I used to get out sooner than others and scoring big runs was getting difficult."

Even though there are so many comparisons already that Sarfaraz has had to face, there is still no certainty that he will get the cap with player like Rajat Patidar also waiting for his chance. India have not yet announced their Playing 11 for the second Test.