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The return of Sarfaraz Khan to the Indian national team has generated optimism regarding the strengthening of the batting line-up. However, it remains uncertain whether Sarfaraz Khan will be included in the starting XI for the first test match.

After nearly a year and a half of waiting, Sarfaraz managed to make it into the test squad again. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed his delight over Sarfaraz Khan's return and insisted that he deserves a spot in the starting eleven.

Mohammad Kaif stated on his YouTube channel that if India needs to field its strongest possible team during the tour of Sri Lanka, Sarfaraz Khan's place must be guaranteed. He noted that the ball often spins in Sri Lanka, and Sarfaraz Khan is considered a player who excels against turning deliveries.

When Indian batsmen appeared vulnerable against spinners in the match against New Zealand, it was Sarfaraz Khan's steadfast contribution that injected life into the game. He possesses outstanding skill in executing shots such as the sweep, reverse sweep, and playing off the back foot. According to Kaif, in the fourth and fifth days of the match, when the pitch completely deteriorates, an aggressive batsman like Sarfaraz is capable of changing the course of the game single-handedly.

If Sarfaraz Khan plays at positions number five or six, it could jeopardize Dhruv Jurel's spot. Kaif believes that Jurel's recent form has not been outstanding. Although he scored 478 runs in 10 Test matches, he has struggled to consistently score big runs in the last five or six innings. He was also previously dropped from the team for a small number of runs against Afghanistan and South Africa.

Kaif also emphasized that the final decision will depend on the management's strategy. If they prefer to support veterans, Jurel might be given another chance. However, considering current form and pitch conditions, Sarfaraz Khan appears superior to Dhruv Jurel in all aspects.

The Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 will be held from August 28 to September 13 in Dubai. Eight teams will participate in this tournament.

The most significant event for cricket fans will be the match between India and Pakistan, which will take place on September 5. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) published the tournament schedule on Thursday, August 6.

The tournament will be played in a T20 format. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, and the final match is scheduled for September 13.

The tournament will start with a group A match between Hong Kong and Thailand. The Indian team was placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and China. Group B consists of Bangladesh, the host country UAE, and Indonesia, as well as the reigning champion Sri Lanka.

Teams in each group will play each other once. The first semi-final is scheduled for September 10 and will be between the best team from Group A and the second team from Group B. The second semi-final will be on September 11 and will feature the second team from Group A against the best team from Group B. The final will be on September 13.

One of the key matches in Group B will be the encounter between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on September 6. Sri Lanka will compete as the defending champion, while Bangladesh won the Women's Asia Cup in 2018.

India is one of the most successful teams in the history of the Women's Asia Cup. The Indian team has won seven titles, including four trophies in the ODI format (in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008) and three trophies in the T20 format (in 2012, 2016, and 2022).