Pakistan women cricket team's former captain, Sana Mir, who is also the world's number 1 in ODI bowler ranking according to International Cricket Council, (ICC) has announced her retirement earlier today.
In her statement to the Pakistan Cricket Board, she said, "Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate. I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport."
"During my cricket journey, I have met and built strong friendships and bonding with some amazing cricketers in women’s cricket. Listening about their stories and philosophies have not only made me a tougher and stronger athlete but have also taught me great things about life, which are beyond yourself or the sport or winning and losing," she also said.
She added that when she reflects on her debut, it gives her great satisfaction that she has been part of the process that has eventually resulted in a packed-to-capacity Lord’s for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final, something that was further boosted by a record 87,000 spectators for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are great success stories for women’s cricket.
Here, we have put together, top five moments of her glorious cricket career:
The sports ambassador for women's cricket in Pakistan and a hero for many cricketers around the world, Mir, 34, has represented Pakistan in 226 internationals since her debut in 2005, and was captain in 137 of them.The off-spinner is her country's leading ODI wicket-taker with 151 wickets in 120 ODIs at an average of 24.27.
In her statement to the Pakistan Cricket Board, she said, "Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate. I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport."
"During my cricket journey, I have met and built strong friendships and bonding with some amazing cricketers in women’s cricket. Listening about their stories and philosophies have not only made me a tougher and stronger athlete but have also taught me great things about life, which are beyond yourself or the sport or winning and losing," she also said.
She added that when she reflects on her debut, it gives her great satisfaction that she has been part of the process that has eventually resulted in a packed-to-capacity Lord’s for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 final, something that was further boosted by a record 87,000 spectators for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are great success stories for women’s cricket.
Here, we have put together, top five moments of her glorious cricket career:
- Sana Mir has been awarded two Gold Medals for Pakistan in the Asian Games in 2010 and 2016.
- The off-spinner is her country's leading ODI wicket-taker with 151 wickets in 120 ODIs at an average of 24.27
- The team ranking of Pakistan went from 8 to 6 for the first time under the captaincy of Sana Mir when Pakistan triumphed over South Africa for the first time.
- Under her captaincy, the women’s team qualified for the 2012 T20 World Cup and 2013 Women’s ODI World Cup.
- Sana Mir took the 147th wicket of her ODI career to join Anisa Mohammed and Lisa Sthalekar on the top of the most-wickets list for spinners in women’s ODI cricket.