The platform had already been laid by Bengal pacer Akash Deep (4/46), and openers Abhimanyu Easwaran (58) and Devdutt Padikkal (105) on Day I of this four-day game in Ahmedabad.

On the second day, Sarfaraz Khan put India ‘A’ in the driving seat against England Lions at the Motera as his 161 powered the home team to 493 in response to the visitors’ 152.

With still two days to go, India ‘A’, having taken a huge 341-run lead, have a fantastic chance to register an innings victory.

Sarafarz, with two half-centuries (96 and 55) in the previous two games against England Lions, should now feel more optimistic in terms of getting the attention of the selectors. With 18 fours, five sixes and a strike-rate of 100.62, it was an innings of intent from Sarafarz.

On Thursday, India ‘A’ had slipped to 184/4 from 162/0. Fortunately, Sarfaraz produced his A-game, with support from Washington Sundar (57) and Saurabh Kumar (77).

Brief scores: England Lions 152. India A 493 (Sarfarz Khan 161, Devdutt Padikkal 105). At stumps, Day II.