Sana Mir, the former Pakistani captain and number 1 in the world, has announced her decision to withdraw from international cricket.
Sana Mir A Legend Of Pakistan Women’s Cricket
34-year-old Mir, a sports ambassador to Pakistan and around the world, has represented Pakistan in 226 international matches since her debut in 2005 and was a captain in 137 of them.
The off-spinner is the leading ODI wicket-taker in her country with 151 gates in 120 ODIs with an average of 24.27, while her 89 T20I gates for women from 106 games are only behind Nida Dar’s 98. This places her fourth on the list of ODI bowlers of all time in women’s games together with Anisa Mohammed from the West Indies after Jhulan Goswami (225 gates) from India, Cathryn Fitzpatrick from Australia (180) and Ellyse Perry (152).
I am also Pakistan’s third highest runscorer in ODIs (1,630) and belongs to a selected group of players who have double runs of 1000 and 100 wickets in ODIs. She has the rare achievement of playing 100 T20Is.
In October 2018, their achievements took first place in the ODI ranking of MRF Tires ICC women for bowlers. She can count the gold medals of the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games on her balance sheet.
I haven’t been in action since the T20I against Bangladesh in Lahore in October 2019. The following month, she announced her decision to take an indefinite break from the sport when evaluating her future. She was not included in the T20I squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year.
Words fall short when I want to thank you all for the love,support & encouragement in the past 15 yrs. It has been an honor to serve Pak & don the green Jersey with absolute pride. It is time for me to move on. IA the service will continue in a different form. PakistanZindabad 💚 pic.twitter.com/wKqwQ4ZqWr
— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) April 25, 2020
“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,” she said in a statement published by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday, April 25.
“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.
“When I reflect on my debut, it gives me great satisfaction that I have 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. “
PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan Give Tribute To Sana Mir
“On behalf of Pakistan Cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on an extremely successful career. For many years it has been the face of Pakistani women’s cricket and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of female cricketers.
“With her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for cricketers in the country. Through her achievements, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan, but also the image of Pakistan worldwide.
“Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket, which attracted, inspired, and motivated young athletes. I am sure that she will continue to make a positive contribution to women’s cricket in the future.”
Sana Mir’s Carrier Stats
Made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005, while her last ODI was against Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019
In 120 ODIs, she took 151 wickets and scored 1,630 runs
With 151 ODI wickets, she shares the fourth position on the all-time list with Anisa Mohammed of the West Indies. The list is headed by India’s Jhulan Goswami
She is Pakistan’s most capped Woman with 120 ODIs, and their only woman with more than 100 ODI wickets – ending with 151
In October 2018, she peaked to number-one on ICC Women’s Rankings for ODI Bowlers
Made her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin in May 2009, while her last T20I was against Bangladesh in Lahore in October 2019
In 106 T20Is, she took 89 wickets and scored 802 runs
She played in three World Cups (2009, 2013, 2017) and six ICC WT20 WC (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
Captained Pakistan in 72 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 45, and 65 T20Is, winning 26 and losing 36
Captained Pakistan at two World Cups (2013 and 2017) and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cups (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016)
Named captain of Wisden’s women’s team of the decade
Along with Mithali Raj, included in ICC Women’s Committee as players’ representative
She is currently ranked 9th and 41st in the ICC’s ODI and T20I bowlers’ lists, respectively. She is 10th and 23rd ranked all-rounder in ODIs and T20Is, respectively
Won 2010 and 2014 Asian Games gold with the Pakistan national women’s cricket team
She added 1,630 runs in her ODI career – good enough for third place in the current Pakistan list
She is one of only five women to have achieved the 1000 run / 100 wicket ODI double
She was the first Asian woman to play 100 T20I matches
Oct 2010: ODI career-best bowling of 5-32 against the Netherlands at Potchefstroom
Jan 2015: maiden ODI fifty when she scored 51* against Sri Lanka at Sharjah
Jan 2015: career-best T20I score of 48* against Sri Lanka at Sharjah
Mar 2015: she made a career-best 52 ODI score against South Africa at Sharjah
Jul 2017: successive innings of 45 against Australia and 50 against New Zealand in ICC WWC in England
