RAWALPINDI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Monday explained his earlier statement which gave rise to speculation about his retirement from international cricket.
The experienced wicket-keeper, who is mentoring the Faheem Ashraf-led Dolphins in the Champions T20 Cup, has previously spoken about his future as a player, stating that “there is nothing more to say”.
“Look, when it comes to my career. I don’t think I need to say anything. There was nothing left. I know what you are waiting for and it will happen soon,” said Sarfaraz.
Meanwhile, during an exclusive interview with Geographic News on Monday, the 37-year-old clarified that he continues to play regardless of his national team selection.
He further shared that the decision regarding his retirement would be a personal one.
“Yes, I said ‘there’s nothing more to say’ the other day. Look, I am still playing cricket and I will take advantage of any opportunity I get,” Sarfaraz said.
“In the Pakistan team, I never said that ‘I want to bat in this or that position’. If I could be selected (in the selection), I would be.
“As far as leaving cricket is concerned, that is a personal decision. When I feel like I should stop playing cricket, I will.”
For the unversed, Sarfaraz, who made his international debut for Pakistan in 2007, went on to represent the Green Shirts in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is, accumulating 6,164 runs with the help of six centuries and 32 fifties.
The wicketkeeper-batsman led Pakistan to their maiden ICC Men’s Champions Trophy title in 2017 after a thumping 180-run victory over arch-rivals India in the blockbuster final.
He also captained Pakistan to 11 consecutive T20I series wins, the most by a Pakistani captain.
His last appearance for the Green Shirts came in a three-match away Test series against Australia last year.
The right-handed batsman managed to score seven runs in the opening Test of the aforementioned series and was subsequently dropped.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s last white-ball appearance for Pakistan dates back to November 2021.
