Pakistan women cricket team’s former captain Sana Mir on Saturday announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing down curtains on a 15-year-long successful career.
Mir featured in 226 international matches, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017. She made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in December 2005, while her last ODI was against Bangladesh in Lahore in November 2019.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the PCB for giving me an opportunity to serve my country for 15 years. It has been an absolute honour and privilege,” Mir said in an official statement.
“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 added.
Mir is her country’s leading ODI wicket-taker with 151 scalps in 120 matches at an average of 24.27, while her 89 T20I wickets from 106 matches are only behind Nida Dar’s 98.
Mir is also Pakistan’s third-highest run-scorer in ODIs (1,630) and is among the nine players to have the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. She has the rare achievement of having played 100 T20Is.
Mir captained Pakistan in 72 ODIs, winning 26 and losing 45, and 65 T20Is, winning 26 and losing 36. The right-arm off-spinner was also the skipper of Pakistan at two ODI World Cups (2013 and 2017) and five T20 World Cups (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016).
Wasim Khan, PCB’s CEO, paid tribute to Mir: “On behalf of Pakistan cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on a highly successful career. She has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers.
“Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country. Through her performances, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan but also enhanced the image of Pakistan globally. Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes. Moving forward, I am sure she will continue to contribute positively to women’s cricket.”
