Sarfaraz Ahmed [X.com]

In a massively shocking development, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has left his home country and shifted base to the United Kingdom.

As per several reports from Pakistan, Sarfaraz, who won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 and ICC Under19 World Cup 2006 as captain for the country, has migrated off to the UK after becoming unsure of the future with the current national team. 

However, Ahmed will return for the upcoming season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 and play for one-time champions Quetta Gladiators in a bid to maintain amicable relations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The 36-year-old last featured for Pakistan in a three-match Test series against Australia Down Under and last played a white-ball match in 2021. 

Sarfaraz first made heads spin when he helped Pakistan lift the U19 World Cup in 2006, and then slowly made his name in the national Test, ODI, and T20I side, before eventually leading them across formats between 2017 and 2019. 

The Karachi-born has played 54 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 61 T20Is, amassing 6164 runs across formats.

As captain, Ahmed led Pakistan in 37 T20Is and won 29, while in Tests and ODIs, the wicketkeeper-batter won 4 and 28 matches, respectively.