RCB's Sarfaraz Khan and father Naushad Khan are ruled the charts in Kanga League.
You may have known of father-son duos playing cricket for their countries at different periods of time, but have you heard of a father competing with his son in the same tournament, and both finishing as the best in their respective disciplines?
Meet Mumbai's Naushad Khan and his son Sarfaraz Khan, who both found their names at the top of the charts of the recently-concluded Kanga League, the city's famous monsoon cricket tourney.
If 20-year-old Sarfaraz, who also plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, was the best batsman in the 'A' Division with 284 runs in four games for the Payyade Sports Club, his 48-year-old father wasn't one to fall behind.
Left-arm spinner Naushad, playing for Young Mohammedan in the 'B' Division of the same league, ended as the top wicket-taker with 19 wickets in five matches.
Naushad, a proud bowler, coach as well as father, said he enjoys competing with his son.
"I am used to giving simulation practice to my sons, Sarfaraz and Musheer. I am very harsh when I bowl at them. This not only gives them good batting practice but also brings control to my bowling and betters it," he said.
The father-son combination achieved something similar in the previous season too. Turning up for the same club — Young Mohammedan in 'C' Divison — the junior Khan scored 363 runs in eight matches while Khan Sr. picked up 32 wickets in 10 games, both being the highest in the division.
Sarfaraz said his father's high benchmarks have helped him become a better cricketer.
"Abba (father) had challenged me to equal his personal best score of 105 in Kanga League's 'A' Division. I not only got a century but also bettered it, scoring 109 this year. It feels nice to compete with Abba who is such a good cricketer himself," Sarfaraz said.
Once a child prodigy, Sarfaraz shifted base from Mumbai to play Ranji Trophy for Uttar Pradesh a couple of years ago, only to return home this year.
"It feels great that both of us have topped our respective charts," his father said. "But I'm more happy for Sarfaraz, who is serving a cooling-off period for one year before he becomes eligible to play for Mumbai again in Ranji Trophy."
Incidentally, Naushad has been instructed by his doctor to avoid playing cricket in order to protect his knees.
"I have been asked to get a knee replacement by my doctor. My knees are really weak due to an accident a few years ago. However, I have a responsibility to play for this club and I could not find another left-arm spinner," he said.
Awesome Twosome
# Sarfaraz Khan, 20, was the best batsman in the 'A' Division of Kanga League with 284 runs in four games.
# His father Naushad Khan, 48, was the top wicket-taker in the 'B' Division of the same league with 19 wickets in five matches.
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