Sarfaraz smashes 75-ball 157 in big Mumbai win in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Sarfaraz Khan ended the year on a high with a 75-ball 157 to power Mumbai to an 87-run win over Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Jaipur on Wednesday.

Khan, who has not played for India since making a famous debut in February 2024, has repeatedly reminded the selectors of his abilities. He had been in great form in the recently held Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, hitting the event's fastest fifty.

Against Goa, Khan hit his century off 56 balls, to power Mumbai to their fourth successive win and get closer to the quarterfinals.

Returning star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (46), Musheer Khan (60) and Hardik Tamore (53) contributed to Mumbai's solid total of 444/8. But it was Sarfaraz Khan, who inflicted the most damage on Goan bowling, with 14 sixes and nine boundaries.

Two Goan bowlers, Darshan Misal and Lalit Yadav, ended with economy rates higher than 10, while Sachin Tendulkar's son Arjun leaked 78 off overs. Arjun could not land a wicket, while Misal claimed three and Yadav bagged two.

In response, Goa made 357/9, with Abhinav Tejrana top-scoring with 100. Captain Deepraj Gaonkar and Lalit Yadav made 70 and 64 respectively. Shardul Thakur claimed 3/20, and Jaiswal fetched two wickets, though he leaked 52 runs in just three overs.

Brief scores: Mumbai 444/8 in 50 overs (Sarfaraz Jhan 157, Musheer Khan 60, Hardik Tamore 53, Yashasvi Jaiswal 46, Darshan Misal 3/98) bt Goa 357/9 in 50 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 100, Deepraj Gaonkar 70, Lalit Yadav 64, Shardul Thakur 3/20)