Darren Sammy to receive honorary citizenship of Pakistan: Details here
What's the story
Former West Indies cricket team captain Darren Sammy will be given Pakistan's highest civil award -- Nishan-e-Pakistan -- and honorary citizenship of Pakistan. President Arif Alvi is set to confer Sammy with the same on March 23. This was stated by the the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday. Here are further details on the same.
Confirmation
PCB confirms the same via its Twitter account
In a tweet, the PCB's media department announced that citizenship will be conferred for his "invaluable contribution to cricket in Pakistan". "President of Pakistan Arif Alvi will confer the highest civilian award and honorary citizenship to Darren Sammy on March 23 for his invaluable contribution to cricket in Pakistan," read the tweet.
Franchise
The franchise had requested PCB chairman to accept the application
The decision to confer Sammy comes after Zalmi owner Javed Afridi said to The Dawn that the franchise had put in a request to the president to grant the player honorary citizenship of Pakistan. The team also requested PCB chairman Ehsan Mani to pursue it personally so that the application is approved.
Information
Sammy is leading Peshwar Zalmi in the PSL
Sammy is currently leading Peshwar Zalmi in the ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020. He has featured in 47 matches in the PSL, scoring 677 runs for his side. Sammy averages 27.08 with the bat.
Sammy
Sammy has helped cricket grow in Pakistan
Afridi also commented that Darren Sammy has been a pioneer in bringing cricket back to Pakistan and the game will always be indebted to the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup-winning captain. The former West Indian all-rounder has been successful in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well and has led his side to glory in 2017. Sammy has helped the game grow in Pakistan.
Twitter Post
Sammy to get honorary citizenship
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