Sarfaraz Ahmed retires from international cricket:Wicketkeeper-batter led Pakistan to 2017 Champions Trophy title beating India in final

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has announced his retirement from international cricket. In a career spanning nearly two decades, he scored 6164 runs, and under his captaincy, Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, claiming an ICC title after eight years. Sarfaraz Ahmed made debut vs India Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz, born in Karachi, made his international debut in November 2007 against India in an ODI in Jaipur. He played 54 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. Across all three formats, he scored 6164 runs, including 6 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Behind the wickets, he took 315 catches and made 56 stumpings. Sarfarz captained in 100 matches Sarfaraz captained Pakistan in 100 international matches. These include 50 ODIs, 37 T20Is, and 13 Tests. Under his captaincy, Pakistan became the top-ranked in the T20 International rankings. He also led Pakistan to 11 consecutive T20I series wins. Also read: Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-1 in ODI series: Tanzid Tamim’s 107 outshines Salman Agha’s ton as Tigers win decider First Pakistan captain to win titles at junior and senior stages Sarfaraz is the only captain to win ICC titles for Pakistan at both junior and senior levels. He also led the team to victory in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka, where they defeated India in the final. During his captaincy, players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan got opportunities in the international team. Honored with Pakistan’s Pride of Performance Award Sarfaraz was honored with the Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2018. He became the youngest Pakistani captain to receive this honor. After the arrival of Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz’s place in the team diminished. He last played for Pakistan in the Perth Test in December 2023. It is now believed that he may take on a coaching role with the Pakistan team in the future. Playing for Pakistan is the biggest honor Announcing his retirement, Sarfaraz said that representing Pakistan has been the greatest honor of his life. He added that every moment, from winning the Under-19 World Cup in 2006 to lifting the Champions Trophy in 2017, has been special. May become Pakistan Test Team’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed may be appointed as the new coach of the Pakistan Test team. The 38-year-old Sarfaraz will begin his coaching tenure with the Test series against Bangladesh in May 2026. Prior to this, he has worked as a mentor and coach with the Pakistan Under-19 and Pakistan Shaheens teams.