‘Acha kiya, par…’: What Sarfaraz Khan advised younger brother Musheer before he scored maiden Ranji Trophy hundred | Cricket News
With a single to square leg, Musheer Khan, 18, completed his maiden hundred in his third First-Class game for Mumbai. Totterring at 90 for 4 in their Ranji Trophy quarter final against Baroda, Mumbai were resuscitated Musheer’s unbeaten 128. Watching Musheer complete his third hundred in less than a month — the other two at the Under-19 World Cup — was his father and coach Naushad Khan.
For the Khans, the past few weeks have been a golden period. Older brother Sarfaraz scored two fifties on Test debut against England in Rajkot. Musheer, a star of the Under-19 World Cup, came to Mumbai’s rescue in a knockout game. “Acha time chal raha hai, dunno bhai ka time chal raha hai (The fortunes of both brothers have changed). I don’t want to think too much,” Musheer said at the end of the day’s play at the BKC ground.
Sarfaraz, currently playing the fourth Test in Ranchi, gave him a piece of valuable advice that kept him grounded.
This was just after Musheer returned home from the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
“Bhai just said acha kiya hai ab tak par real cricket ab shuru hone wala hai. Taiyaar hona uske liye. (You have played well till now but the real cricket begins now. Be ready for it.) Just stay at the wicket and runs will come.” Musheer said after the game.
India vs Nepal Live Telecast: Musheer Khan celebrates scoring his hundred against New Zealand. (ICC)
Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan’s secret: 5 am wake up calls
For Musheer, Naushad uses the same tried-and-tested coaching methodology, which Sarfaraz followed. Hours of net practice, even if it means polishing just one shot like a cover drive. Days begin at the crack of dawn. A 5 am wake-up alarm, 6 am practice games at Cross maidan followed more batting at the nets in their compound in Taximen colony.
Sarfaraz too played in the Under-19 World Cup like Musheer. But Musheer is not taking anything for granted. Sarfaraz had to wait in the wings for years, despite a truckload of runs in domestic cricket, before making his Test debut last week at the age of 26.
Musheer was picked for the Mumbai Under-23 team before the selectors named him in the Ranji Trophy squad. He delivered when Mumbai needed a big innings.
Mumbai had lost its top order — Prithvi Shaw, Bhupen Lalwani, skipper Ajinnkya Rahane and all-rounder Shams Mulani — in the first session with veteran left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt taking three of the four wickets to fall.The onus was on Musheer to hang in there. He batted sensibly, played late and didn’t go for any rash shots.
Musheer was involved in a 52-run stand for the fifth wicket with Suryansh Shedge (20) and a 106-run unbeaten partnership with wicket-keeper Hardik Tamore. Mumbai were 248 for 5 at stumps on Day One.
Baroda won’t find it easy to dislodge Musheer.
“Rather than going for the shots it was important to find the singles and doubles and look to bat for 90 overs. I try to spend as much time as I can at the wicket,” Musheer added. Measured but effective he was — his unbeaten 128 came off 216 balls and comprised 10 fours.
