Sarfaraz Ahmed hints at retirement ahead of Champions T20 Cup

Former Pakistan captain and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed has hinted at his possible retirement from international cricket, sparking speculation about the end of an illustrious career.  

Speaking to the media at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, Sarfaraz addressed questions about his future with a touch of sarcasm, indicating that his decision might be imminent. “Regarding my career, I believe there’s nothing more to say. I understand what you’re waiting for, and it will happen soon,” he remarked.  

The 37-year-old, who will mentor the Dolphins in the upcoming Champions T20 Cup, has had a remarkable career since making his international debut in 2007. Over the years, Sarfaraz has represented Pakistan in 54 Test matches, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is, accumulating 6,164 runs, including six centuries and 35 half-centuries.  

His career highlights include leading Pakistan to their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy title in 2017, defeating arch-rivals India in a memorable final. Under his captaincy, Pakistan also set a record with 11 consecutive T20I series victories, showcasing his exceptional leadership skills.  

However, Sarfaraz’s journey has seen its ups and downs. His last appearance for Pakistan came in the first Test of a three-match series against Australia in 2023, where he scored just seven runs before being dropped from the team. Though he was part of the squad during Pakistan’s home series against Bangladesh and the initial Test against England, but he did not get a chance to play and was eventually released following a disappointing defeat in the opening Test.  

Sarfaraz’s most recent outing in white-ball cricket for Pakistan was in November 2021, marking a lengthy absence from the format. Despite being out of favor in the national setup, his contributions to Pakistan cricket remain significant.