395 Wickets, 8,064 Runs — Pakistan Honours Shahid Afridi With Tamgha-e-Imtiaz

ISLAMABAD — President Asif Ali Zardari presented cricket legend Shahid Afridi with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz on May 13, 2026, in Islamabad — recognising a career that delivered 8,064 ODI runs, 395 wickets, and a T20 World Cup title for Pakistan.

The Ceremony in Islamabad

President Asif Ali Zardari personally presented the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to Shahid Afridi at a formal ceremony held in Islamabad on May 13, 2026. The civil honour recognises outstanding contributions to Pakistan in any field.
For Afridi, it marked official national recognition of a cricket career that spanned decades and defined a generation of Pakistani sport.

What Afridi Said

Afridi shared emotional photographs from the ceremony on X, formerly Twitter.

He dedicated the award to two groups, the fans who supported him throughout his career and the martyrs of the nation.
The gesture drew widespread praise online, with teammates and supporters responding across social media.

The Career Behind the Award

Afridi’s numbers tell the story of one of cricket’s most complete all-rounders:

As captain, he led Pakistan to the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup title — one of the most celebrated moments in the country’s cricket history.

His aggressive batting style and sharp leg-spin bowling earned him the nickname ‘Boom Boom’ — a name recognised by cricket fans worldwide.

Beyond Cricket is The Foundation Work

The Tamgha-e-Imtiaz also acknowledges Afridi’s work off the field. Through his foundation, he has been involved in building schools and hospitals — extending his contribution to Pakistan well beyond the cricket boundary. His humanitarian work has added significant weight to his public standing in the country.

Shahid Afridi’s Tamgha-e-Imtiaz is Pakistan’s formal acknowledgement of a career that produced 8,064 ODI runs, 395 wickets, a World Cup title and years of charitable work.