Former Pakistan cricket captain Younus Khan received a presidential performance award on Tuesday, less than two weeks after he was handed an indefinite ban from all forms of the game. Younus, 32, was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board after a committee ruled that infighting between him and another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, contributed to a series of embarrassing defeats.
But on Tuesday, Younus was handed the Presidential Pride of Performance award for leading Pakistan to victory at the World Twenty20 in England in June. "I feel proud about this award and thank Pakistan's government for bestowing this award on me. I have always felt proud of being a Pakistani and will do my utmost to serve my country," Younus told AFP.
"At this point I don't want to speak about the penalties but I am in consultation and will lodge an appeal," he added. Meanwhile, all rounder Shahid Afridi also the President's Pride of Performance award on Tuesday. He received a top civilian honour the same day as he was appointed as a captain of Pakistan cricket team for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup.