Sana Mir, former captain of Pakistan’s women cricket team and World No. 1 , has just announced her retirement from international cricket.
Mir, 34, made her international debut in 2005. She took 151 wickets at an average of 24.27 in 120 ODIs and took 89 wickets at 23.42 in 106 T20Is. Moreover, she also scored 1630 runs in ODIs at 17.91 and 802 in T20Is at 14.07.
In a statement published by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on 25 April, Sana Mir said, “The 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.”
Sana Mir announces retirementhttps://t.co/OuFLhlSGb1 pic.twitter.com/hKosmSLnd3
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) April 25, 2020
She further added, “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.”
Recalling her glorious cricket career, Sana stated, “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.”
Former cricketers bid farewell to Sana
Sana also posted about her retirement on Twitter. She thanked everyone for their love, support, and encouragement in her cricket career.
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
A few former cricketers also bid farewell to Sana. Her teammate Kainat Imtiaz had this to say.
You have worked hard for Pakistan !! It was an honour playing under your leadership. Lots of prayers for the new journey.
Bigger achievements ahead..? IA
Thank you for serving Pakistan in the amazing way you did ♥️
We are proud of you. ❣ https://t.co/XxdIRKW3ZH— Kainat Imtiaz (@kainatimtiaz16) April 25, 2020
Former Irish cricketer also bid farewell to Sana Mir. She tweeted.
Congratulations on an incredible career @mir_sana05 Few people in sport have done more to break down barriers for those coming behind them and been such an ambassador for cricket and Pakistan. Looking forward to seeing what comes next! pic.twitter.com/piKRUPQmXv
— Isobel Joyce (@izzyjoyce) April 25, 2020
India’s Poonam Yadav also congratulated Sana for her illustrious career.
Congratulations on a great career, @mir_sana05! Legend!!! https://t.co/5AgcQWMas9
— Poonam Yadav (@poonam_yadav24) April 25, 2020
Pakistan’s former test cricketer Faisal Iqbal had this to say:
You have been a great ambassador for women’s cricket ?? I wish you all the best for your 2nd innings @mir_sana05 https://t.co/wUgVc7cGjp
— Faisal Iqbal???فیصل اقبال (@FaisalIqbalCric) April 25, 2020
Key achievements of Sana’s career
Mir captained Pakistan women’s cricket team 72 times in ODIs. Of these matches, Pakistan won 26 and lost 45. In her 65 T20Is as captain of the team, Pakistan won 26 and lost 36. Sana stepped down from the captaincy of the T20I team after the 2016 Women’s World T20. Moreover, she also lost the ODI captaincy in 2017 when PCB promoted Bismah Maroof to the role.
She is also Pakistan’s leading ODI wicket-taker with nearly 151 wickets in 120 ODIs at an average of 24.27. Moreover, her 89 women’s T20I wickets from nearly 106 matches are only behind Nida Dar’s 98. This puts Sana the joint-fourth on the list of all-time wicket tickers in women’s ODI. She is only behind India’s Jhulan Goswami (225 wickets), Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) and Ellyse Perry (152).
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments section below!
