West Indian cricketer Daren Sammy receives Pakistan’s prestigious award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, on Friday. The cricketer took to social media to share the images of him receiving the award.
Sammy, in his post on Instagram, said: “Cricket took me all over the world enabling me to see and play in some amazing places. Pakistan is definitely one of these places. A place that always makes me feel at home. It’s such an honor to have received this prestigious award (Sitara-I-Pakistan) from the Government and people of Pakistan. Thank you.”
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Daren Sammy had posted a video dressed up in traditional Pakistani white Kameez Shalwar with a blue coat. In his tweet, he asked if anyone could guess: “Guess what I’m receiving today??,” Sammy said in a tweet.
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CONGRATULATIONS Brother @darensammy88 ! Well Deserved Sitara-i-Pakistan !
Your Contribution for Pakistan Cricket Revival will be ✍️ in Golden Words & in our Hearts Forever. #PakistanZindabad https://t.co/i5PoPHhiOO pic.twitter.com/TH6Caygl9Y— جاوید آفریدی (@JAfridi10) May 30, 2022
Daren Sammy is among the few international cricketers who have supported Pakistan Super League since its inception. He had been playing from the franchise Peshawar Zalmi owned by Pakistani businessman Javed Afridi. He captained the Peshawar Zalmi and played a significant in helping the team put up spectacular performances in every edition of PSL.
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Sammy supported Pakistan Cricket and helped return the international cricket to the country. Back in 2020, he received honorary citizenship and the highest civil award on Pakistan Day, 23rd March from President Arif Alvi. Javed Afridi had proposed the idea of honorary citizenship for Daren Sammy. PCB had followed upon it with the federal government in the light of Daren Sammy’s “invaluable contribution to cricket in Pakistan”.
Javed Afridi also congratulated him on receiving the award. “CONGRATULATIONS Brother @darensammy88! Well Deserved Sitara-i-Pakistan! Your Contribution to Pakistan Cricket Revival will be in Golden Words & in our Hearts Forever. #PakistanZindabad,” said Javed Afridi in his tweet.