New Delhi: Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed retired from all forms of cricket on Sunday, over two years after playing his last match for the national team.
The wicketkeeper-batter signed off as the only Pakistani captain to lift two major ICC trophies, beating traditional rivals India on both occasions.
He last represented Pakistan in December 2023, in a Test match against Australia in Perth. About to turn 39 in May, he announced his decision through a statement published through the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I could never have dreamt of captaining Pakistan in all three formats and winning the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2006 and the 2017 Champions Trophy… they are unforgettable moments for me,” he said.
Ahmed was last seen in action in a domestic match in October last year but has since served as mentor of Pakistan’s U-19 national team and said focus now is on his other roles.
Ahmed is reported to be tipped to become the national team’s head coach on a long-term basis, the position lying vacant since PCB ended Azhar Mahmood’s contract.
Former all-rounder Mahmood served as interim head coach of Pakistan’s Test team last year. Ahmed has also been appointed as a member of the national selection committee.
In his farewell statement, Ahmed said his motto has alwats been to play without inhibition and build unity within the team.
Hailing from Karachi, he played in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is, leading Pakistan in 100 international games across all three formats.