Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, ending a career that saw him lead the national team in 100 matches across formats.
“I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for the trust they placed in me over the years,” Sarfaraz said in a statement. “Pakistan cricket has always been close to my heart, and I will continue to support the game in every possible way.” Following the disappointing T20 World Cup, the PCB has included him in the revamped four-member men’s selection committee.
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Sarfaraz made his ODI debut against India in 2007, his first Test appearance against Australia in 2010, and his T20 debut against England in Dubai. Across formats, he scored 6,164 runs with six centuries and 35 fifties, represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20s, and as a wicketkeeper, held 315 catches and 56 stumpings.
During his nearly two-decade-long career, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph and the 2006 U-19 World Cup title. He also holds the national record of 10 catches in a Test and remains the only Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s.
“Captaining Pakistan was a dream come true,” he said, expressing pride in mentoring players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. His final international appearance was a Test against Australia in Perth in 2023.