Former Pakistan captain and current member of the selection committee, Sarfaraz Ahmed has retired from international cricket.
Announcing his retirement, Sarfaraz Ahmed looked back on a career filled with landmark moments and thanked those who supported him throughout.
🏆🏆 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning captain ✨
Congratulations @SarfarazA_54 on a distinguished international career spanning around two decades. Thank you for your services! đź‘Ź
More details ➡️ https://t.co/1346GEBFy3 pic.twitter.com/Ku1HUdO7pM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 15, 2026
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to represent Pakistan. From leading the U19 team to a world title in 2006 to lifting the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, every moment in Pakistan colors has been special,” he said, expressing gratitude to teammates, coaches, family and fans.
He added that captaining Pakistan in all formats was a personal ambition fulfilled, and singled out the development of young players during his tenure as one of his proudest achievements.
Sarfaraz also thanked the PCB for backing him over the years and said he would continue to support Pakistan cricket in whatever role he could.
Following the announcement, tributes also poured in from teammates. Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam posted a warm message on X, describing it as an honor to play under Sarfaraz and thanking him for his support and guidance, while wishing him peace and success in the next phase of his life.
Saifi Bhai, playing under your leadership was a privilege. Thank you for your guidance, belief, and the memories you gave Pakistan cricket. Wishing you success and peace in this new chapter of life. pic.twitter.com/coU89Tc5kC
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) March 15, 2026
To mark the occasion, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Sarfaraz Ahmed and presented him with a commemorative shield.
“You honored the privilege of representing Pakistan and enriched our cricket with many successes,” Naqvi said, adding that the country remained grateful for Sarfaraz’s services.
Sarfaraz Ahmed began his international career with an ODI debut in 2007, before making his Test and T20I debuts in 2010. He went on to play 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is, scoring 6,164 runs with six hundreds and 35 fifties.
Sarfaraz led Pakistan in 100 international matches across formats, during which the side rose to the No. 1 ranking in T20Is. Pakistan also produced a world-record run of 11 consecutive T20I series wins under his captaincy, including six series clean sweeps, against the West Indies (twice), Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland.
The pinnacle of his captaincy came in 2017, when he led Pakistan to the ICC Champions Trophy title. In the final at The Oval, Pakistan outplayed India by 180 runs to claim the trophy, making Sarfaraz the country’s first captain to win the Champions Trophy.
He also holds the unique distinction of having lifted ICC titles at both junior and senior levels, after guiding Pakistan to the ICC Under-19 World Cup crown in Sri Lanka in 2006.
In 2018, he received the Pride of Performance award, recognized for his contributions to Pakistan cricket and the Champions Trophy success, becoming the youngest Pakistan captain to be honored with the civilian award.
