December 10, 2024: Amid growing speculation about his future in international cricket, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has addressed his retirement plans, leaving fans and pundits wondering about the next steps in his career. Speaking candidly during his involvement in mentoring the Faheem Ashraf-led Dolphins in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup, Sarfaraz made it clear that any decision about his retirement would be a personal one.
Sarfaraz’s cryptic remark, “I think I don’t need to say anything. Nothing is left,” triggered speculation that he might be on the verge of announcing his retirement. However, he quickly clarified his stance, stating that he is still playing cricket and will continue to do so as long as opportunities come his way. “Look, I am still playing cricket and will avail whatever opportunity I would get,” he told Geo News.
Despite being sidelined from the Pakistan national team in recent years, Sarfaraz stressed that he has never been picky about his batting position, and if the selectors deem him fit for a place in the team, he would gladly take it. “If I could be selected [in the national team], I would be,” he added. The 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batter emphasized that when the time comes for him to retire, it will be his own decision: “When I feel that I should quit cricket, I will quit.”
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s career has been a remarkable one. Since making his international debut in 2007, he has been an integral part of Pakistan’s cricketing fabric. He has represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is, accumulating 6,164 runs across all formats. His tally includes six centuries and 32 half-centuries, underscoring his consistency and importance as a batter.
As captain, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy victory in 2017, where they stunned India with a commanding 180-run win in the final. Under his leadership, Pakistan also set a record for winning 11 consecutive T20I series, the most by any captain in the country’s history.
However, since his leadership reign, Sarfaraz’s international appearances have become less frequent. His last Test match came in 2023 during the tour of Australia, where he could only manage seven runs in the opening match of the series. In the white-ball format, his last appearance was in November 2021 against Bangladesh.
Despite the diminishing appearances, Sarfaraz remains an important figure in Pakistan’s cricket landscape. His contributions, both as a player and a leader, continue to be celebrated by fans, and his potential return to the national team remains a topic of interest.
In the end, it seems that Sarfaraz’s career will end on his own terms. Whether he plays on for a few more years or decides to retire soon, it will be a personal decision, and cricket fans will certainly support him in whatever he chooses.
