Pakistan's Champions Trophy winning captain Sarfaraz quits international cricket

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who guided his country to their maiden Champions Trophy title in 2017, ‌announced his retirement from the sport on Sunday.

"I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the trust they placed in me over the years," Sarfaraz said in a statement.

"Pakistan cricket has always been very close to my heart and I will continue to support the game in every possible way."

The PCB has already included Sarfaraz in the revamped four-member men's selection committee after the disappointing T20 World Cup in which the team failed to make it to the semifinals.

Sarfaraz made his one-day international debut against archrival India in 2007, but had to wait for three years before playing his first Test match against Australia at Hobart in 2010, which was followed by his first Twenty20 appearance against England at Dubai.

The ​Karachi-born wicketkeeper-batter ⁠featured in 54 Tests, 117 One-Day ‌Internationals (ODI) and 61 ‌Twenty20 international matches over nearly two decades, accumulating over 6,000 runs across all formats while he also claimed ‌315 catches and 56 stumpings.

The 38-year-old led Pakistan to ⁠Champions Trophy glory in 2017 when they beat India by 180 runs in the final at the Oval. He had also guided the Under-19 team to World Cup victory in 2006.

"It has been the ​greatest honour of my life to represent Pakistan. ‌From leading the U-19 team to a world title in 2006 to lifting the ICC Champions Trophy ⁠in 2017, every moment in Pakistan colours has been special," Sarfaraz said in a statement.

"Captaining Pakistan across all formats ​was a ‌dream come true. I always tried to play ‌fearless cricket and build a united team.

"Seeing players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali and others grow ‌into match-winners during ‌my captaincy is one ⁠of my proudest achievements."

Sarfaraz also holds the Pakistan record of 10 catches in a Test matches, which he took against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2019.

He is also the only Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI century at Lord's against England in 2016.

His last international appearance came against Australia in a Test match at Perth in 2023.

"It has been the greatest honour of my life to represent Pakistan," he said. "From leading the U-19 team to a world title in 2006 to lifting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, every moment in Pakistan colors has been special. I am grateful to my teammates, coaches, family and the fans for their unwavering support throughout my career."

Agencies