Top-order batsman Babar Azam has shared a heartfelt message for former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has retired from international cricket.
On social media platform X, Babar reflected on Sarfaraz’s leadership and the time they spent together in Pakistan cricket.
“Saifi Bhai, it was a privilege to play under your leadership. Thank you for your guidance, faith and the memories you have given to Pakistan cricket. I wish you success and peace in this new chapter of your new life,” Babar wrote.
Sarfaraz, who currently serves in the Pakistan men’s selection team, announced his retirement on Sunday, ending an illustrious career spanning nearly two decades.
The 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman made his One-Day International (ODI) debut in 2007, followed by his Test and T20I debut in 2010.
In his international career, he played 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is and scored 6,164 runs including 6 centuries and 35 fifties. Behind the stumps, he completed 315 catches and 56 stumpings.
Sarbaras’ captaincy was particularly noteworthy. Led Pakistan to 100 internationals across formats and led the team to the No.1 T20I ranking.
Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved a world record 11 consecutive T20I series wins and six series clean sweeps against teams including the West Indies (twice), Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland.
He was instrumental in nurturing the next generation of Pakistani stars, giving early opportunities to players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Faqar Zaman and Shatab Khan.
The pinnacle of his captaincy was Pakistan’s 180-run victory over arch-rivals India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final at The Oval.
With this victory, Sarfaraz became the first Pakistan captain to lift the Champions Trophy and is the only captain to win ICC titles at both junior and senior levels, having previously led Pakistan to the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title in Sri Lanka in 2006.
In recognition of his achievements, including the Champions Trophy win, Sarfaraz received the Performance Award in 2018, becoming the youngest Pakistan captain to receive the civilian honour.
He also became the only Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman to score an ODI century at Lord’s against England in 2016.
Sarfaraz’s final international appearance came in a Test match against Australia in Perth in 2023, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in Pakistan cricket.
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