Sarfaraz Khan’s Emotional Reply: Mumbai Batter Hits 47-Ball Maiden T20 Century in SMAT Against Assam, Sparking Fresh Selection Debate
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan smashed a 47-ball maiden T20 century (100*) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Assam. His emotional celebration highlights the ongoing non-selection controversy
Run Machine Delivers Explosive Knock After Two-Year T20 Absence
Lucknow: Sarfaraz Khan, the consistent domestic run-scorer, delivered an emphatic statement to the selectors by smashing his maiden T20 century for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match against Assam on Tuesday. The powerful knock came with palpable emotion, fueling the long-running debate over his continued non-selection for the national side.
The Defining Knock
Playing his first T20 fixture in two years, Sarfaraz anchored Mumbai’s innings at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, bringing up his spectacular century on the penultimate ball of the innings.
| Performance Detail | Statistic |
| Score | 100* runs |
| Balls Faced | 47 |
| Boundaries | 8 Fours, 7 Sixes |
| Match | Mumbai vs Assam (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025) |
| Team Total | Mumbai finished with 220 runs |
The right-handed batter's century provided a crucial launchpad, helping Mumbai post a formidable total.
Emotional Outburst on the Field
Upon reaching the three-figure mark, Sarfaraz unleashed a rare, raw display of emotion, letting loose with a wild celebration. The outburst, soaking in the applause from his teammates, was widely seen as a direct and aggressive response to the consistent criticism and selectorial indifference he has faced, particularly after being recently overlooked for India's Test assignments despite his sensational First-Class record.
The 28-year-old has been a dominant figure in the Ranji Trophy for years, and while he made his Test debut in 2024 and even scored a century (150) against New Zealand, subsequent omissions have kept him out of the national setup, leading to public outcry from fans and former cricketers.
In the same match, India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, scored 20, while Ajinkya Rahane contributed 42 runs. The day also saw the return of Hardik Pandya, who scored an unbeaten 77 for Baroda in another SMAT fixture.
