Darren Sammy to get Pakistan honorary citizenship

The government has decided to honour West Indian cricketer Darren Sammy who is currently playing PSL 2020 by awarding him honorary citizenship.

The honorary citizenship will be given to the West Indian player on March 23. Sammy, who leads Peshawar Zalmi, will also be conferred with a top civil award.

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi had revealed that team skipper Darren Sammy could be in line to receive honorary citizenship of Pakistan owing to his contributions to the league in particular and bringing cricket back to the country in general.

"We have requested for the honorary citizenship of Pakistan for Darren Sammy. The application is currently at President’s table. I request the PCB chairman to put in a good word for Sammy, so it can be approved. Sammy’s voice notes were too emotional for Pakistan when PCB was trying to hold the PSL season 2 finale in Lahore," Javed Afridi said.

Following the news, Sammy has cleared that he doesn’t need a passport to love Pakistan. For Sammy, it is enough to see people recognising his efforts in bringing international cricket to Pakistan.

"For me, love is in the heart. It is an action and a feeling. For me whether I have a passport or not, I think my contribution to this country is all from within. I don’t need a passport to associate myself with this country. It is not just me but all of the guys that have come here and showed there support, be it the World XI or other teams, have played a massive role in bringing back international cricket to Pakistan," Sammy told newsmen recently. "It is good that my efforts have been recognized, but for me the love and affection I get from the people is everything," he added.