Young batsman Virat Kohli bagged the award for the International Cricketer of the Year at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2011-12 held in the Capital on Friday.
Virat Kohli gets Cricketer of the Year as Pakistan bags other top honours
Kohli, the Indian Vice-Captain, beat the likes of former Sri Lankan Captain Kumar Sangakkara, Australian Captain Michael Clarke and South African opener Hashim Amla to win this top honour. He was the highest run getter for India in ODIs last year and scored his career best of 183 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in March.
Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram who came in to accept the award on Kohli’s behalf said that the 24 year old Delhi lad is one of the best batsmen and fielders in today’s world cricket and would be perfect to lead India someday.
The Pakistani team which produced some amazing performances last year was awarded the Best International Team of the Year Award for the 2011-12 season. This award was again collected by Akram on their behalf. Kapil Dev who presented the award to Pakistan lauded them for their remarkable performance in India. They have already clinched the 3-match ODI series 2-0.
Pakistan’s former explosive batsman Zaheer Abbas was honoured with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s edition of the awards honoured the extraordinary performances in India-Pakistan encounters and under this special segment Indian legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar was awarded the Best Test Cricketer and former Pakistani Captain Inzamam-Ul-haq got the Best ODI Cricketer. The 1983 World Cup winning Captain, Kapil Dev, was adjudged the Best Test Bowler and Wasim Akram received the award for the Best ODI Bowler.
There was also a CEAT Audience Choice Awards which was jointly awarded to Indian opener Virender Sehwag and Pakistani batsman Saeed Anwar.
India’s U-19 World Cup winning Captain Unmukt Chand was honoured with the inaugural Youngster of the Year Award. While accepting the award from the great Sunil Gavaskar, the 19 year old said that it was an honour and he is really encouraged with the recognition.
The Awards ceremony was a glittering event attended by cricketing greats from both sides like Saeed Anwar, Ramiz Raja, Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Zaheer Abbas, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Yashpal Sharma, Ajay Jadeja and Wasim Akram.
Tags: CEAT Cricket Awards, Cricketer Of The Year, India, Kapil Dev, Pakistan, Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Wasim Akram, Zaheer Abbas
