Darren Sammy, Peshawar Zalmi skipper, and West Indian player will receive Pakistan’s honorary citizenship and highest civil award on Pakistan Day, 23rd March from President Arif Alvi.
Pakistan Sports Board shared the news on its official Twitter account, while the team owner of Peshawar Zalmi Javed Afridi has hailed the announcement. He said the decision of the government of Pakistan echoes the love and support of Pakistani cricket fans for cricketer Darren Sammy. In his Twitter post, he recalled the valuable services of Darren Sammy for bringing back the international cricket in Pakistan.
President of Pakistan Dr @ArifAlvi will confer the highest civilian award and honourary citizenship to Darren Sammy on 23 March for his invaluable contribution to cricket in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/mn9AiLknB0
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) February 22, 2020
He took pride in the fact that PSL franchise Peshawar Zalmi holds the honor that its skipper will be conferred with the highest civil award in recognition of serving Pakistan.
Earlier, Javed Afridi had requested PCB chairman Ehsan Mani to help them move their application of honorary citizenship for Darren Sammy lying in the President’s office.
Read more: Darren Sammy might be a Pakistani soon
Peshawar Zalmi captain, Darren Sammy, has applied for the citizenship of Pakistan, revealed team owner Javed Afridi in a meeting with PCB chairman, Ehsan Mani. He said Darren Sammy’s request is lying with Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi.
“We want honorary citizenship for Darren Sammy and an application in this regard is also lying pending before the President,” said Javed Afridi to Ehsan Mani. Adding that, “I request the PCB chairman to put in a good word for Sammy, so it can be approved.”
ڈیرن سمی @darensammy88 کو پاکستان کا اعلیء ترین سول ایوارڈ دینے کا فیصلہ صدر مملکت کا حقیقت میں کرکٹ اور پاکستان سے محبت کرنے والوں کے جذبات و احساسات کی عکاس ہے۔بلاشبہ اس مرد میدان کی خدمات پاکستان میں کرکٹ کی واپسی کے لئے ناقابل فراموش ہیں https://t.co/88PDthmAtD
— Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) February 22, 2020
He is the cherished West Indian cricketer and a regular PSL player who has been actively showing up at all the seasons of the Pakistan Super League for the last five years.
Sammy reached Pakistan last week and enthusiastically showed up at all the promotional events. It would not be wrong to say that Darren Sammy has completely owned the Pakistan Super League.
Earlier, he expressed his delight over receiving iconic Kaptaan Chappal from Pakistan’s famous cobbler Nooruddin and wants PSL fifth edition to be the best season of all.
پاکستان کرکٹ کی تاریخ میں یہ اعزاز پشاور زلمئی کے حصے میں ایا کہ اسکے کپتان ڈیرن سمی کو حکومت پاکستان کی جانب سے اعلے ترین سول ایوارڈ سے نوازا گیا۔ھم اللہ تعالی کے بارگاہ میں سجدہ شکر کے ساتھ ساتھ اپنے چاھنے والوں اور حکومت پاکستان کے اس عزت کے لئے شکر گزار ھیں. https://t.co/19mDHgJ5E1
— Javed Afridi (@JAfridi10) February 22, 2020
“I want the PSL-5 to be the best out of all of them. As players and as fans let’s show the world how great it is to play cricket here,” said Darren Sammy.
He cherished the entire fifth season of PSL to be held in Pakistan, touting it a significant step towards resuming international cricket in Pakistan.