Babar Azam, the all-format captain of Pakistan’s cricket team, was conferred with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the country’s third-highest civilian award. He received the award at a Pakistan Day ceremony held at the Governor House in Punjab on Thursday. At 28 years old, Babar became the youngest Pakistani cricketer to receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. The award was conferred to him by Governor Punjab Balighur Rehaman during the Civil Award Ceremony on March 23.
Several other Pakistani cricketers, including Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Muhammad Yousuf, Inzimam Ul Haq, and Javed Miandad, have also received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award in the past. Babar expressed his gratitude for receiving the award and dedicated it to his parents, fans, and the people of Pakistan in a tweet after reviewing the award.
In addition to Babar, Pakistan women’s team cricketer Bismah Maroof was also conferred with the Tamagha-i-Imtiaz by President Arif Avi in a ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadar, Islamabad. Babar and Bismah were among 14 athletes who were honored with President’s civil awards for their outstanding achievements in sports.
The list of awardees also included Commonwealth Games gold medalists Arshad Nadeem and Muhammad Nooh Dastagir, Jahangir Khan (squash), Ch. Shafay Hussain (Kabaddi), Shafiq Ahmed Chishti (Kabaddi), Sirbaz Khan (Mountaineering), Ahsan Ramzan (Snooker), Masood Jan (Blind Cricket), Amina Wali (Skiing), Abdul Karim (Mountaineer/ Porter), Irfan Mehsood (Martial Arts) and Ms Shahida (Karate)
