Mumbai youngster Sarfaraz Khan blasted 101 off only 66 balls to help India colts record a four-wicket victory over South Africa in their round robin league encounter of the Under-19 Quadrangular tournament in Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 270, India U-19 stormed to victory in only 39.3 overs for the loss of six wickets courtesy of Sarfaraz and local lad Ricky Bhui, who cracked 94 not out.
This was India U-19's second successive win in the tournament having beaten Zimbabwe in the opening encounter.
Sarfaraz, the youngest member of the Indian team cracked 17 boundaries and a six during his scintillating knock.
The 15-year-old showed maturity beyond his years as he added 159 runs for the fifth wicket in less than 20 overs with Ricky, whose contribution was also significant in the context of the match. Bhui faced 95 balls and hit 12 fours and three sixes.
The duo came together when the hosts were in trouble at 93 for four and when Sarafaraz was out in the 36th over, the match was in India's kitty.
Bhui finished the match in some style, with a big six.
However, the day belonged to young Sarfaraz, who has been a big name in Mumbai's competitive school circuit. Sarfaraz and his eight-year old brother Musheer (youngest to get five wickets in Mumbai's Kanga league game) have shown knack of breaking records.
Playing for Rizvi Springfield, he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's Harris Shield score of 326, three years back when he was only 12.
Earlier, Indian pacers Abhimanyu Lamba (3/55) and Chama Milind (3/52) shared the maximum of the spoils as South Africa scored 269 for eight in 50 overs after opting to bat. Clyde Fortuin (90) and Llyod Brown (69) were chief contributors.
In another round robin league match, Australia U-19 thrashed Zimbabwe by 147 runs.
Brief Scores:
South Africa Under-19: 269/8 in 50 overs (Clyde Fortuin 90, Llyod Brown 69, Chama Milind 3/52, Abhimanyu Lamba 3/55)
India Under-19: 275/6 in 39.3 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 101, Ricky Bhui 94)
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