[In Pictures] Sarfaraz Khan announces birth of baby boy two days after maiden Test ton
It has been a wonderful week for Team India's middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan. He stole the show with his batting exploits in the recently concluded Test series opener against New Zealand, registering his maiden century in international cricket. The right-handed batter earned widespread praise for his stellar 150-run knock in India's second innings.
Two days after his maiden Test ton, Sarfaraz announced the birth of his first child. Taking to his official Instagram handle on Monday, October 21, the batter revealed that he has been blessed with a baby boy. Sharing the pictures of his newborn child, he wrote:
"It's baby boy"
It is worth mentioning that Sarfaraz Khan tied the knot with Romana Zahoor on August 6, 2023. The wedding ceremony was held in Kashmir, Zahoor's hometown.
On the cricketing front, Sarfaraz toiled hard in domestic cricket for many years before finally making his Test debut against England earlier this year in February. He has had a fantastic start to his international career, hitting three half-centuries and a solitary hundred across seven innings.
"This is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad" - Sanjay Manjrekar on Sarfaraz Khan
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reserved high praise for Sarfaraz Khan, comparing the youngster to Pakistani batting legend Javed Miandad. He lauded the batter for his 150-run knock in the Bengaluru Test.
Manjrekar said to ESPNcricinfo:
"He (Sarfaraz) reminds me of a Javed Miandad of the 1980s but this is a 2024 version of a Javed Miandad. Really impressed with the way he played. We know he plays spin well but I liked the way he played fast bowlers.
"And towards the end of the day's play when he was looking to play defensively and wanting bad light when there was actually bright light. I loved the way he was ducking to bouncers, just trying to play the day out so he has that game as well and that augurs well for India and Sarfaraz Khan for Australia because he has shown that element of batting as well."
Sarfaraz found a place in India's playing XI for the Bengaluru Test after top-order Shubman Gill missed out due to pain in his neck and shoulder. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, making it tough for the Indian think tank to leave him out for the upcoming second Test.
The hosts suffered an eight-wicket defeat in Bengaluru and will aim to bounce back by clinching victory in the second fixture. The second Test of the three-match series will be played in Pune from Thursday, October 24.