Babar Azam is receiving the country’s third highest civilian award ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’ for his contribution to Pakistan cricket as a captain and through individual performance. The 28-year-old cricketer is going to receive this award at the youngest age. However, it was already known that he was going to be awarded this award. This time the date of receiving the award has been announced by the government. This prestigious award will be handed over to him on the day of celebration of ‘Pakistan Day’ on Thursday, March 23. He will take leave from the national team to attend the award ceremony.

Pakistan’s T20 series will begin on Friday (March 24) against Afghanistan at a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates. Babar Azam has become a role model for young Pakistani cricketers over the past few years. This award is the result of his dedication and hard work toward cricket and his country. However, several other cricketers received this award before Babar Azam. That list includes former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, and Sarfraz Ahmed. Only four cricketers before them received this prestigious award. They are – Mohammad Yusuf (2011), Saeed Ajmal (2015), Javed Miandad (1992) and Inzamam-ul Haque (2005).Before Babar, Sarfraz Ahmed became the youngest cricketer to receive the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award.