Racing from first slip to leg slip, Sarfaraz Khan dives down a full length to take a blinder to end the 167-run stand as Mumbai turn the tide – Watch

Sarfaraz Khan (Photo/Image) A stunning catch from Sarfaraz Khan helped Mumbai break a 167-run partnership and turn the match on its head in the final hour as the 42-time champions beat Railways by 106 runs in a Ranji Trophy Group D clash on Thursday.Railways were firmly in the match for most of the final day thanks to centuries from opener Eshaan Goyal (103) and No.7 batsman Zubair Ali (115). The pair kept Mumbai waiting for 156 minutes, faced 212 balls and added 167 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Sarfaraz’s effort in the field opened the door for Mumbai to claim their fourth outright win of the season and finish the first round with 27 points.Sarfaraz, who had earlier taken a run-out and dropped a catch, produced a game-changing moment. Goyal tried a smash against Musheer Khan (3/42) but got a top edge. Covering the ground towards leg slip at first slip, Sarfaraz dived full length and completed the catch to end the partnership.The Indian batsman celebrated by running hard and throwing his arm in the air, his efforts even prompting a physio to come onto the field.Mumbai then struck twice more to overtake the Railways for the result. India all-rounder Suryansh Shedge ran a few yards to his left from mid-on to remove Zubair from Musheer before Tanush Kotian (2/93) took a one-handed catch at short midwicket to remove the eighth batsman. Railways were eventually bowled out for 265, with the collapse coming in a frantic last hour after a drinks break.The day began with Mumbai adding 60 runs to their overnight lead and setting Railways a target of 372. Unbeaten overnight, Divyaansh Saxena remained unbeaten on 100 off 136 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.Railways’ chase got off to a tough start as Shams Mulani (4/69) picked up three wickets and Sarfaraz was run-out to leave them at 83/5. Goyal and Zubair then joined forces and looked set to take the game to a draw before Mumbai’s late fightback.Mumbai captain Siddesh Lad admitted that given the team’s previous Irani Cup experience, the possibility of a draw had crossed their minds.“It (the draw) was always in the background because we won the first innings and we have bad memories at CCI; we lost the Irani Trophy on the last day of the match,” Lad told reporters.Mumbai finished the first round with 27 points, the highest total of any team. However, Lad said the team doesn’t seem to be satisfied with their performance yet.“We have done really well in the league stage in the last two seasons (also). But we don’t want to be satisfied with what we have done in the first four games. We have a long way to go and we want to do something special – add something to Mumbai’s legacy this season,” he said.

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