Sarfaraz Ahmed, a former captain of the national squad, assumed a crucial role in Pakistan’s cricket history following the retirement of the legendary Misbah Ul Haq.
Summary & Key Takeaways
ShowSarfaraz Ahmed: Controversial Captain of Pakistan Cricket Team
Sarfaraz Ahmed, born on May 22, 1987, in Karachi, Pakistan, has emerged as a prominent figure in the cricketing world.
Known for his right-handed batting and right-arm off-break bowling, Sarfaraz has made significant contributions as a wicketkeeper–batsman for the Pakistan national cricket team.
His journey from the early days of leading Pakistan’s Under-19 team to victory in the 2006 World Cup to captaining the national team across all formats showcases his remarkable evolution as a cricketer.
Early Career
Sarfaraz first caught attention by leading Pakistan’s Under-19s to the World Cup title in 2006.
His early career in domestic cricket was marked by consistent performances, which eventually led to his inclusion in the national team.
He made his ODI debut against India in November 2007 and his Test debut against Australia in January 2010.
Domestic Career
In domestic cricket, Sarfaraz has been a part of teams like Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan International Airlines.
He has also played for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), leading them to victory in the 2019 season. His domestic career has been characterized by steady batting and reliable wicketkeeping.
International Career
Sarfaraz’s international career has been a blend of highs and lows. He took over the ODI captaincy in 2017 and led Pakistan to a memorable victory in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
His Test career has been marked by consistent performances behind the stumps and with the bat. However, his form and captaincy came under scrutiny, leading to his removal as captain in 2019.
IPL Career and Other Franchises
While Sarfaraz has not had a significant presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL), his contributions in other franchise cricket, especially in the PSL, have been noteworthy.
He has been a crucial player for Quetta Gladiators, showcasing his leadership and cricketing skills.
Career Across Formats
- Test Cricket: Sarfaraz has played over 50 Test matches, scoring over 3000 runs with a decent average. His highest score in Tests is 118.
- ODI Cricket: In ODIs, he has participated in over 100 matches, accumulating more than 2000 runs. His ODI career includes a couple of centuries and several half-centuries.
- T20 Cricket: Sarfaraz has also been effective in the T20 format, both as a player and a captain. He has played in numerous T20 internationals, contributing significantly with both bat and gloves.
Cricket Records of Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed, a distinguished wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, has made a significant mark in international cricket with his performances in Tests, ODIs, and T20s.
His career, spanning from 2007 to 2023, is adorned with numerous records and milestones. Here’s a detailed look at some of his significant records:
Top Records
Test Matches:
- 4th highest number of dismissals in a match with 10 dismissals.
- 4th highest number of catches in a match with 10 catches.
- 6th among captains who have kept wicket, with 13 matches as a wicketkeeping captain.
- 4th highest number of stumpings in an innings with 3 stumpings.
- Achieved a pair as a captain in Test matches.
- Reached the milestone of 2000 runs and 100 wicketkeeping dismissals.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs):
- Holds the 1st position for the most dismissals in an innings with 6 dismissals.
- Also 1st for the most catches in an innings in ODIs with 6 catches.
- 2nd among captains who have kept wicket, with 50 matches.
- 2nd for the fewest ducks in career among players with 91 ODIs.
- Achieved 2000 runs and 100 wicketkeeping dismissals in ODIs.
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):
- 2nd among captains who have kept wicket in T20Is, with 37 matches.
- Ranked 9th for the most stumpings in career across all formats with 56 stumpings.
- 29th for the most runs in an innings by batting position with a score of 89*.
- 38th for the most runs in an innings by a captain in T20Is, also scoring 89*.
- 19th for the most runs in an innings by a wicketkeeper with a score of 89*.
Other Notable Records:
- In Tests, he is 42nd for the most runs in a series by a wicketkeeper with 335 runs.
- 33rd for fifties in consecutive innings in Tests, achieving 5 fifties.
- 16th for the most innings before first duck in Tests, with 42 innings.
- In ODIs, he is 21st for the most consecutive innings without a duck, with 78* innings.
- 44th for the most consecutive matches as captain of a team in ODIs, with 34 matches.
- In T20Is, he is 36th for the most consecutive matches for a team, with 44 matches.
- 32nd for the most matches as captain in T20Is, with 37 matches.
- Across all formats, he is 23rd for the most consecutive innings without a duck, with 84 innings.
- 50th for the most matches as captain across all formats, with 100 matches.
- 18th for the most dismissals in career across all formats, with 371 dismissals.
Comprehensive Article on Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Family Background
Sarfaraz Ahmed, a renowned Pakistani cricketer, has a rich family background that has significantly influenced his professional and personal life.
Born on May 22, 1987, in Karachi, Pakistan, Sarfaraz has carved a niche for himself in the world of cricket. Here’s a detailed look at his family background:
Parents and Siblings
Sarfaraz’s father, Shakil Ahmed, was the owner of Shakeel Brothers, a well-known publishing house in Pakistan. His father’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication have been a source of inspiration for Sarfaraz.
Information about his mother is not widely known, but it is evident that she played a crucial role in his upbringing and personal development.
Sarfaraz has a brother named Shafiq Ahmed. The bond between the siblings and their collective experiences growing up in Karachi have contributed to Sarfaraz’s grounded personality.
Marriage and Children
Sarfaraz Ahmed is married to Syeda Khushbakht Shah. Their marriage took place in 2005, and since then, they have been a pillar of support for each other.
The couple is blessed with a son named Abdullah, born in February 2017. The birth of his son has added a new dimension to Sarfaraz’s life, bringing joy and a sense of responsibility.
Personal Life
Sarfaraz Ahmed is known for his calm and composed nature, both on and off the field. His family has played a significant role in shaping his personality and ethics.
He completed his education with a B.E. in Electronics, showcasing his academic inclination alongside his cricketing career.
Sarfaraz is a devout Muslim and has been a Hafiz-e-Quran since the age of 10, a testament to his religious dedication and discipline.
Social Media Presence
Sarfaraz maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where he often shares glimpses of his personal life, including moments with his family.
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Net Worth Report
Sarfaraz Ahmed, a prominent figure in Pakistani cricket, has not only made a name for himself on the field but also amassed a considerable net worth through his cricketing career.
Here’s a detailed look at his financial status, including his earnings, endorsements, assets, and other relevant financial information.
Net Worth and Earnings
- Net Worth in 2023: According to Fresherslive, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s net worth is estimated at $2 Million as of 2023. TVI.com.pk reports a slightly higher figure, stating his net worth to be around $11 Million.
- Salary and Income: While specific details about his salary and income are not publicly disclosed, it is known that a significant portion of his wealth comes from his career as a professional cricketer.
5 Biggest Controversies in Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Cricket Career
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has been involved in several controversies over the years.
These incidents have sparked debates and discussions in the cricketing world. Here’s a comprehensive look at these controversies, arranged from the most recent:
1. Tweet Controversy Involving a Female Journalist (2022)
In August 2022, Sarfaraz Ahmed faced backlash for his tweet slamming a female Pakistan journalist.
The controversy arose after Pakistan’s Asia Cup opener against India, where Sarfaraz criticized the journalist for her comments on Pakistan’s fielding strategy due to a slow over-rate.
2. Controversial Stumping Dismissal (2023)
In January 2023, Sarfaraz’s dismissal during the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi sparked a huge debate.
The controversy centered around whether his spikes were on the ground when he was stumped, leading to criticism of the match umpire Ahsan Raza for the decision.
3. Racism Controversy (2019)
In January 2019, Sarfaraz Ahmed was banned for four matches after making racist remarks towards South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo during a one-day international.
His comments were picked up by the stump mic, leading to a ban and a mandatory education program on the offense.
4. Fat-Shaming Incident (2019)
In 2019, following Pakistan’s loss to India in the World Cup, Sarfaraz was fat-shamed by a fan in a UK mall. The incident, which was recorded and went viral, led to the man issuing a public apology to Sarfaraz.
5. Yawning Controversy (2019)
During the high-profile India vs Pakistan World Cup match in 2019, Sarfaraz was criticized for yawning on the field.
This incident led to widespread mockery and criticism from fans, prompting Sarfaraz Ahmed to address the issue in a press conference.
Anything You Need to Know about Sarfaraz Ahmed
What is the captaincy record of Sarfaraz Ahmed?
Sarfaraz Ahmed served as captain for Pakistan in all three formats:
- Test Cricket: Led in 11 matches with 4 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws.
- One-Day Internationals: Most successful tenure, captaining in 50 matches with 28 wins, 20 losses, and 2 no results. Notably, he led Pakistan to victory in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
- Twenty20 Internationals: Commanded in 25 matches with 17 wins and 8 losses. Under his leadership, Pakistan reached the No. 1 ranking in T20Is.
How many centuries did Sarfaraz Ahmed have?
While known more for his aggressive play and wicket-keeping skills, Sarfaraz has scored 2 centuries in Test cricket and 3 centuries in ODIs.
What is the net worth of Sarfaraz Ahmad?
Estimates vary, but Sarfaraz Ahmed’s net worth is believed to be around USD 5-10 million. This includes earnings from his cricketing career, brand endorsements, and investments.
