Babar Azam and Bismaah Maroof. (Photo Twitter)

Pakistan national team skipper, Babar Azam, was recently conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the third-highest civilian honour in Pakistan. Babar, only 28 years old, became the youngest to receive the award. Babar beat Sarfaraz Ahmed, who previously held the record for being the youngest to receive the honour at 31.

On August 14, 2022, the Pakistan government announced that they would be felicitating Babar with the award; he joins the long list of cricketers to receive the award as Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan have been awarded it previously.

Babar has undoubtedly transformed into one of the greatest batters in world cricket. In the 95 ODIs he has represented Pakistan, he has notched up 4813 runs, making one of the world’s most dangerous white ball batters. Having played 47 Tests, he has accumulated 3696 runs and is the spearhead of Pakistan’s batting arsenal.

The Pakistan skipper took to Twitter to share the news with his fans and even dedicated the award to his mother. “Immense honour to have received Sitara-e-Imtiaz in the presence of my mother and father. This award is for my parents, fans, and the people of Pakistan,” he tweeted. 

Bismah Maroof awarded civilian honour as well

Apart from Babar, former Pakistan women’s team skipper Bismah Maroof was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, which is the fourth-highest civilian honour. She became the second female cricketer to receive the award after Sana Mir. 

She, too, took to Twitter to share the news with her fans. “Humbled and honoured to receive the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. I dedicate this award to my parents, especially my baba, who stood by me through thick and thin. His cheers for me got through my hardest days,” she tweeted.