Kamal Ghorui
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was conferred the prestigious Hilal-e-Imtiaz on Wednesday, receiving Pakistan’s second-highest civilian honour for his contributions to cricket and his long-standing service to the national team.The award was presented by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari during a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, recognising Afridi’s international achievements.
Fourth Pakistan cricketer to receive Hilal-e-Imtiaz
With the recognition, Afridi became only the fourth Pakistan cricketer to receive the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, joining a select list that includes Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Hafeez Kardar.Afridi’s award was also a recognition of one of the most influential white-ball careers in Pakistan’s history. Across 524 international matches, he built a reputation as one of cricket’s most explosive all-rounders.He remains one of Pakistan’s most-capped ODI players, featuring in 398 matches. He scored 8,064 runs in the format, including six centuries and 39 fifties, while also taking 395 wickets — underlining his rare value as a match-winner with both bat and ball.The 2009 triumph that defined a legacyAfridi’s most iconic contribution came during Pakistan’s title-winning run at the ICC World Twenty20.In the final against Sri Lanka at Lord’s Cricket Ground, Afridi delivered under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 54 off 40 balls and picking up a wicket to guide Pakistan to a memorable championship win.That all-round display remains one of the defining performances in Pakistan’s T20 history.Franchise star across the globeBeyond the national side, Afridi’s impact extended across global franchise cricket. He represented teams in the Pakistan Super League, Big Bash League, Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League and several other competitions.At 46, Afridi’s latest honour serves as recognition of a career that transcended generations.
