[VIDEO/PICTURE] Lieutenant Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan Navy

[MenInG]

Fakhar Zaman awarded honorary rank of Lieutenant in Pakistan Navy

[Mamoon]

Hope they can keep him.

[Abdullah719]

With the new lieutenant @FakharZamanLive Proud of my friend who got honoured by the Navy today. @dgprPaknavy pic.twitter.com/bqRpj7i4ir

— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) December 28, 2020

[Rana]

Congratulations

Massive respect for the Pak armed forces

[Hasan]

Nice gesture and great achievement for Fakhar.

[Kroll]

Masha'Allah.

Hero of Pakistan.

[Mueez]

MashAllah!

Congrats Fakhar.

National hero of Pakistan!

[SensiblePakFan]

Great to see.

[Bewal Express]

[Technics 1210]

Well done and Mashallah.

Your services for your country will never be forgotton, especially on 18th June 2017.

[Titan24]

Congrats to Fakhar Zaman on getting such an honor.

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Congratulations to Fakhar.

[MenInG]

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi on Monday conferred the rank of honorary lieutenant in the Pakistan Navy on Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman.

Zaman, an ex-Pakistan Navy serviceman, was honoured for his achievements in the cricket arena and association with the navy at a special epaulette award ceremony held at the Naval Headquarters, a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy said.

Having joined the navy in 2007 as a sailor in the Operations Branch, Zaman's excellent cricket talent was spotted during his early years in service, and he went on to represent the Pakistan Navy in many tournaments. His performance in the game remained exceptional and he earned numerous laurels for the navy, according to the press release.

Zaman's international debut was in 2012 while he was serving in the navy, when he participated in the International Defence Cricket Challenge Cup 2012 held in Australia and was declared best player of the tournament. In recognition of his cricketing skills, he was rewarded with Sanad-e-Tahseen by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

In view of his skills and extraordinary talent, the Pakistan Navy "graciously provided him the opportunity to continue his career in cricket" and join the Pakistan national cricket squad, the statement said.

His major career achievements to date include a match-winning century against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, in which he was declared the Man of the Match. He also became the fastest player to score 1,000 runs in just 18 one-day internationals in the year 2018.

Zaman became the first Pakistani to score a double century in an ODI and had a record opening partnership of 304 runs in 2018. He also made a world record by amassing 512 runs in five consecutive ODI series. In the National T20 Cup 2020, he was declared the best player and batsman.

In his address at the ceremony, Admiral Niazi congratulated Zaman for his achievements for Pakistan in the field of cricket. He underscored that the Pakistan Navy had been supporting various sports and had produced a number of professional players who represented the country.

The award ceremony was attended by civil and military officials, and dignitaries from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Former cricket players and Zaman's family members were also present.

[MenInG]

Humbled to ALLAH ALMIGHTY & thankful to CNS Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for bestowing me Honourary Lieutenant Rank of Pakistan Navy. This cld never be possible without prayers of family, friends.Special thanks to @THEREALPCB for supporting me during my Career. @DGPRPAKNAVY https://t.co/LWPUNdtU3M

— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) December 28, 2020

[Last Monetarist]

Zaman after the series:

"I have always been associated with the Pakistan Navy, even before becoming a cricketer; It was a great honour to be awarded the rank of Honorary Lieutenant in the Pakistan Navy and this is only something a soldier can understand; And after being given that rank, I thought that since I have been honoured in this way, I need to fulfil the expectations of that rank and this honour really changed my mindset"