'Can always go back to selling track pants': When Sarfaraz Khan told his father about alternate plans

Young India batter Sarfaraz Khan saw his dream come true after securing his maiden Test cap ahead of the third Test against England in Rajkot. It was an emotional moment for Sarfaraz’s father Naushad Khan, who was present at the venue in Rajkot to witness the Mumbai-born batter’s debut. Sarfaraz’s father was in tears after his son received the Test cap from legendary India spinner Anil Kumble. Sarfaraz had been knocking on the door of the selectors for a prolonged period. Before receiving the call-up for the Indian team, Sarfaraz demonstrated his calibre in the domestic circuit. In his 45 first-class appearances, the 26-year-old has racked up a total of 3912 runs at a stunning average of 69.85.

Sarfaraz has faced enough turbulence during his journey to the national team. His father Naushad has always been a pillar of support for him. Sarfaraz who made his first-class debut back in 2014, struggled a lot to gain the attention of the national selectors. During an interaction with The Indian Express, Naushad said that his son was quite frustrated once as he was ready to sell track pants on local trains if his dream of playing for India wouldn’t come true.

In that interview, Naushad had recalled what Sarfaraz had told him. “We came from the slums and used to stand in queues for the toilet where my sons would be slapped and overtaken. We came from nothing and will go back to nothing. Sarfaraz told me one day, ‘Abbu so what if this (playing for India) doesn’t happen? We can always go back to selling track pants,” Naushad said.

Sarfaraz kickstarted his international career on a promising note having scored a quickfire 62 off 66 balls against England in the third Test. Sarfaraz’s blistering knock came to an end after he was run out by England fast bowler Mark Wood.

“It was my dream to play for India in front of him. My father wasn’t coming to the ground initially. But some people requested him and he came to witness this special moment. I feel some burden is off my shoulders now that I haven’t let my father’s efforts go to waste” Sarfaraz said after the opening day’s play, as per The Indian Express.

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja did a wonderful job with each scoring a century on the opening day of the Test against the Ben Stokes-led side.