Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, during a prestigious ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on May 13, 2026, where the honour was conferred by President Asif Ali Zardari.
The award recognised Afridi’s long-standing services to the national cricket team, his contributions to England’s county cricket, and his leadership role in the World Championship of Legends. He was also honoured for guiding Pakistan to their historic 2009 T20 World Cup triumph.
Afridi is only the fourth Pakistani cricketer to receive this prestigious honour, joining an elite club that includes legends Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis.
The numbers behind his career tell their own story. Afridi featured in 524 international matches across all formats. He played a record 398 ODIs for Pakistan, amassing 8,064 runs including 39 half-centuries and six centuries. With the ball, he took 395 wickets, including nine five-wicket hauls.
Upon receiving the award, Afridi took to social media expressing deep gratitude, saying the honour represents not only his personal achievement but that of the entire nation of Pakistan. He dedicated the award to Pakistan’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country, and credited his fans whose love and prayers supported him throughout his playing career.
Since making his international debut in 1996, Afridi famously smashed the fastest ODI century at the time, a breathtaking 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, and went on to play in five ODI World Cups and five T20 World Cups across his iconic career.
Pakistan has finally given Boom Boom the honour he truly deserved.
