Sarfaraz Khan ditches Mumbai for Uttar Pradesh

Sarfaraz Khan in action during last year’s ICC U-19 World Cup

17-year-old batting sensation Sarfaraz Khan has decided to leave Mumbai and switch to Uttar Pradesh, ESPNcricinfo reports. The youngster impressed for India in the 2014 U-19 World Cup but shot to instant fame with some brilliant cameos in the 2015 edition of the IPL.

Sarfaraz’s father, Naushad Khan, who hails from Azamgarh, seems to have played an important part in the decision.

"I spoke with Rajiv Shukla [Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association secretary] about the desire to return to my roots and he welcomed Sarfaraz back with open hands," Naushad said. "Obviously Shuklaji has clarified that Sarfaraz will have to perform in the selection trials first but he is no stranger to proving himself time and again."

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) Jt Secretary PV Shetty also confirmed the development.

"He and his father came this evening to get the NOC (No objection certificate) from me,” Shetty told Times Of India. “I tried to persuade Sarfaraz to stay on, but his father (Naushad) argued that his son was 'promised' that he would get to play for the UP team. This is something which we can't promise here, and it depends entirely on his performances. I tried to make them understand that we've supported him at every level, and it is through Mumbai that he played for the India Under-19 team, but it was in vain."

Disciplinary action did not contribute to Sarfaraz’s decision: Naushad

Sarfaraz had faced disciplinary proceedings after he allegedly made an inappropriate gesture in an Under 19 match last year. The youngster was dropped for the Zonal T20 league and his match fees for the season was withheld. Naushad Khan though said that it had nothing to do with the step taken by his son.

“Sarfaraz will play for UP purely because he's getting an opportunity to do so there, which is critical for his career at this stage,” Naushad said. “He'll have to play the selection tournaments there too. There is no politics or controversy behind this move.”

Though Sarfaraz featured in only three Ranji trophy games last season after making his debut, he did represent Mumbai in 5 List ‘A’ matches and 19 Twenty20 matches. Naushad said he would always be thankful for the contributions by the MCA.

“We are extremely thankful to all the opportunities Sarfaraz has been presented with by the Mumbai Cricket Association,” Naushad said, according to ESPNcricinfo. “The association has time and again stood by him and that has played a key role in Sarfaraz's moulding into a good cricketer."