Prime Minister Imran Khan praised Pakistani cricketers on their dominance at the International Cricket Council (ICC) awards for 2021 on Monday.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a fast bowler, was awarded men’s cricketer of the year, while Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were chosen ODI and T20I cricketers of the year, respectively.
To prevent Pakistan from sweeping the men’s trophies, England captain Joe Root earned the test player of the year title.
Fatima Sana took home the title for emerging women’s cricketer of the year.
“Our cricketers deserve a pat on the back. You have given us reason to be proud of you “On his Twitter account, the prime minister wrote.
Congratulations to our cricket stars. You have made us proud. pic.twitter.com/M2phySIItZ
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 24, 2022
Asad Umar, the Minister of Planning, hailed the prize recipients as well.
No. 1 ODI and T20I batter, captain of the ICC ODI and T20I teams of the year and now πππ πππ π©π₯ππ²ππ« π¨π ππ‘π π²πππ«.!!! @babarazam258 you are a true champion pic.twitter.com/BxQIHo6KaF
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 24, 2022
Absolutely awesome to see a Pakistani girl being recognized by ICC for the emerging cricketer of the year award. Well done @imfatimasana. You made the nation proud pic.twitter.com/n76vQ47GDX
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 23, 2022
Congratulations Rizwan for being named ICC T20 international cricketer of the year. Keep making the nation proud pic.twitter.com/PMYtumj0XW
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 23, 2022
Senator Faisal Javed Khan congratulated the team as well.
Congratulations Shaheen Shah Afridi @iShaheenAfridi https://t.co/mREkAqj9tb
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) January 24, 2022
Shaheen Afridi, known for his fiery yorkers and ability to swing the ball, took 78 wickets in 36 internationals in 2021 and was at his best at the Twenty20 World Cup, despite Pakistan’s exit in the semi-finals.
“I scored five-fors in tests, but my most memorable performance came against India in the World Cup,” the left-arm bowler, who is 21 years old, added.
Root was rewarded for his outstanding performance in 2021 when he became only the third player in test cricket history to score over 1700 runs in a calendar year, joining Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf and West Indies legend Viv Richards.
Smriti Mandhana, India’s opener, was named cricketer of the year in the women’s category.
Lizelle Lee of South Africa won the one-day trophy, while Tammy Beaumont of England won the T20 award.
Marais Erasmus of South Africa was named umpire of the year.
