Sarfraz awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz on Pakistan Day
Sarfraz became the youngest cricketer to ever receive the award, with only four cricketers bestowed the honour in Pakistan's cricket history
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Mar-2018
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed with the Champions Trophy on the morning after the final • IDI/Getty Images
Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed had a Pakistan Day to remember, as the 30-year old was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the third-highest civilian honour in Pakistan, by Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair.
March 23 is known as Pakistan Day, and is a national holiday across the country, with widespread celebrations and awards of varying prestige handed out by civilian and military officials.
Sarfraz became the youngest cricketer to ever receive the award, with only four cricketers bestowed the honour in Pakistan's cricket history. They were Javed Miandad in 1992, Inzamam-ul-Haq in 2005, Mohammad Yousuf in 2011, and Saeed Ajmal in 2015.
Sarfraz, who led Pakistan to their maiden Champions Trophy title last year after beating India in the final, told Geo.tv, "It is matter of great honour for me and my family. Whatever I am today is because of Pakistan and I will continue to serve my country in every capacity I am in."
Former Pakistan captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi were also nominated for the award this year.