Rawalpindi: After his earlier statement sparked speculation about his possible retirement from international cricket, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on Monday said it would be his “personal decision” to resign or not.
The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman, who is guiding the Faheem Ashraf-led Dolphins in the ongoing Champions T20 T20, had earlier opened up about his future as a player, saying there was “nothing left to say”.
“Look, as far as my career is concerned. I think I don’t need to say anything. There is nothing left. I know what you are waiting for and it will happen soon,” Sarfaraz said.
Meanwhile, during an exclusive interview with Geographic NewsThe 37-year-old player explained that he is still playing regardless of his selection into the national team.
He also indicated that the decision regarding his retirement will be personal.
“Yes, I said ‘I have nothing left to say’ that day. Look, I am still playing cricket and I will take any opportunity I get,” Sarfaraz said.
“In the Pakistan team, I never said I wanted to bat in this position or that position.” If I could be selected (in the national team), I would.
“As far as quitting cricket is concerned, that is my personal decision. When I feel I should quit cricket, I will quit.”
For the unversed, Sarfraz, who made his international debut for Pakistan in 2007, went on to represent the Green Shirts in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20Is, amassing 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 win over arch-rivals India in the grand final.
He also led Pakistan to 11 consecutive T20I series wins, the most by a Pakistani captain.
His last appearance in the green shirt came in a three-match away Test series against Australia last year.
The right-handed batsman could score seven runs in the opening Test of the aforementioned series and be subsequently dropped from the side.
Meanwhile, Sarfraz Ahmed’s last white-ball appearance for Pakistan dates back to November 2021.