Shahid Afridi received Pakistan’s Hilal-e-Imtiaz on Wednesday at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. President Asif Ali Zardari presented the award. The honour recognises Afridi’s international cricket career and service to Pakistan.
The Hilal-e-Imtiaz stands as Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award. Afridi now becomes only the fourth Pakistan cricketer to receive it, joining Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Hafeez Kardar.
Afridi played 524 international matches across formats. He scored 8,064 ODI runs in 398 matches and took 395 wickets in the same format. His all-round record built his reputation as a decisive performer in limited-overs cricket.
He played a central role in Pakistan’s 2009 ICC World Twenty20 win at Lord’s. Afridi scored an unbeaten 54 from 40 balls in the final against Sri Lanka and also took a wicket. Pakistan secured the title with that performance in a high-pressure final.
Afridi also featured across global franchise leagues. He played in the Pakistan Super League, Indian Premier League, Big Bash League and Caribbean Premier League. He remained active in T20 cricket across multiple countries over several years.
At 46, Afridi’s recognition places him among a small group of Pakistan’s most decorated cricketers at state level.
