NEW DELHI: Sarfaraz Khan sent another loud and clear message to the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee ahead of India's ODI series against New Zealand with a 56-ball century for Mumbai during their Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Goa in Jaipur on Wednesday.

After hitting a half-century in his previous innings, Sarfaraz notched up a century off 56 balls and went on to smash 157 off just 75 balls, featuring 14 sixes and nine fours, which propelled Mumbai to a massive 444/8.

Mumbai fell just 13 runs short of their List A record total of 457, a mark they had set against Puducherry in 2021.

The backbone of Mumbai's innings was a 93-run partnership between Sarfaraz and his younger brother Musheer, who scored 60. After Musheer’s dismissal, Sarfaraz unleashed a flurry of boundaries, dominating the Goa bowlers and propelling Mumbai past the 400-run mark.

After Goa chose to bowl first, Vasuki Koushik struck early by removing Angkrish Raghuvanshi. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Musheer Khan stabilised the innings before Sarfaraz took control, obliterating the opposition with a display of explosive hitting.

Coming off a sensational run in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz's whirlwind knock was perfectly timed to strengthen his case for selection in India's ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11.

Sarfaraz enjoyed a standout campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, piling up 329 runs at a staggering average of 65.80 and an explosive strike rate of 203.09.