Pakistan cricketer with 24,039 runs announces retirement, has 2 ICC trophies under his belt

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed officially bid farewell to international cricket on March 15, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career that spanned nearly two decades. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter leaves behind a significant legacy, having represented his country in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is. Throughout his journey, he proved to be a reliable presence in the middle order, amassing 6,164 runs bolstered by six centuries and 35 half-centuries, while remaining a fixture behind the stumps with 315 catches and 56 stumpings. Not just that, he also amassed 9730, 3978 and 4167 runs in First-Class List A and T20s respectively.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed retires from international cricket

Sarfaraz’s tenure as a leader is perhaps his most enduring contribution to Pakistan cricket. He captained the national side in 100 international fixtures, famously steering them to the top of the T20I rankings. The undisputed pinnacle of his captaincy came in 2017, when he orchestrated a historic victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. Under his guidance, Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India by 180 runs at The Oval to secure their first-ever title in the tournament.

His knack for winning major trophies actually began much earlier at the grassroots level. In 2006, Sarfaraz first demonstrated his leadership prowess by leading Pakistan to the ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup title in Sri Lanka, once again defeating India in a high-stakes final. As he closes this chapter of his life, Sarfaraz offered a heartfelt tribute to his teammates, coaches, family, and fans, thanking them for their unwavering support throughout his storied career.