Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday congratulated the Pakistan cricket stars after their domination in the International Cricket Council (ICC) awards for the year 2021.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was named men’s cricketer of the year, while his teammates Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were declared the ODI and T20I cricketers of year respectively.
England captain Joe Root won the test player of the year award to prevent a clean sweep of the men’s awards by Pakistan.
Fatima Sana won the emerging women’s cricketer of the year award.
“Congratulations to our cricket stars. You have made us proud,” The premier wrote on his Twitter handle.
Planning Minister Asad Umar also congratulated the award winners.
Senator Faisal Javed Khan also felicitated the team.
Known for his sizzling yorkers and an ability to swing the ball, Shaheen Afridi claimed 78 wickets in 36 internationals in 2021 and was at his best at the Twenty20 World Cup even though Pakistan went out in the semi-finals.
“I got five-fors in tests but my most memorable performance was during our victory against India in the World Cup,” the 21-year-old left-arm pacer said.
Root was rewarded for his sublime form in 2021 when he become only the third player — after Mohammad Yousuf of Pakistan and West Indies great Viv Richards — to score over 1700 runs in test cricket in a calendar year.
In the women’s category, India opener Smriti Mandhana won the cricketer of the year award.
South Africa’s Lizelle Lee took the one-day honours, while England’s Tammy Beaumont bagged the T20 award.
South African Marais Erasmus was the umpire of the year.
