The Board of Control for Cricket in India has recommended the name of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan to the government for the Arjuna Award, according to BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty. "We have recommended only one name, that of Zaheer Khan, for the Arjuna Award," Shetty told PTI on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Shrirampur-born Zaheer, who made his international debut in 2000, would be the 44th cricketer to be bestowed with the award if the government accepts the BCCI's recommendation. Six current India players - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir - have been past recipients of the government's honour for their outstanding achievement in the sport. Last year woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami was conferred with the award on the recommendation of the board.