Sana inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Express Tribune

a day ago

Former Pakistan women's cricket captain Sana Mir seen with the commemorative cap after her historic induction in the ICC Hall of Fame on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan women's cricket captain Sana Mir has become the first female cricketer from Pakistan to be inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame.
The historic announcement was made on Monday during a ceremony ahead of the World Test Championship final. West Indies legend Ian Bishop unveiled the 2025 inductees, which include cricketing greats from around the world.
Sana was honoured alongside India's MS Dhoni, England's Sarah Taylor, South Africa's Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith, Australia's Matthew Hayden, and New Zealand's Daniel Vettori.
A trailblazer for women's cricket in Pakistan, Sana represented the national team from 2005 to 2019. She becomes the eighth Pakistani overall and just the 15th woman globally to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
She holds the record for the most wickets by a Pakistani woman in ODIs with 151 and was the first Asian woman to feature in 100 T20 internationals. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to top the ICC ODI bowling rankings.
Sana captained the national side for eight years, leading Pakistan to two Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014. She also guided the team in five T20 World Cups and two ODI World Cups.
Under her leadership, Pakistan secured its first ODI win over South Africa and qualified for the Super Sixes of the 2017 World Cup, where her 5 for 14 against Scotland was a match-winning performance.
"From playing street cricket in Pakistan to this moment today, it's been an incredible journey," Sana said during the ceremony. "This is a very emotional moment for me."
She inspired women to take up the sport in Pakistan while voicing out during every given opportunity about women's rights and the push of women's cricket in Pakistan.
She had once said, "If you're a single woman and doing something unconventional, you don't know that you're doing the right thing."
Mir knew she was doing the right thing and continued to live by her words, inspiring thousands of girls in not just her country but across the globe.
Sana Mir retired in 2019 as one of Pakistan's most accomplished athletes. She has also been a prominent voice for women's empowerment and mental health awareness in sports.
She joins a prestigious list of Pakistani Hall of Famers, including Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Javed Miandad, Abdul Qadir, Hanif Mohammad, and Zaheer Abbas.
Grand ICC ceremony for the inductees
During a star-studded gala, held here at the Abbey Road Studios, the seven inductees, shortlisted by a panel of ICC Hall of Famers, senior executives, and media representatives, were honoured with commemorative caps.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed the new group of legends into the Hall of Fame and congratulated them on the 'well-deserved recognition' on behalf of the apex cricketing body.
"Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket's legacy and inspired generations," Shah said. "This year, we are privileged to induct seven truly outstanding individuals into this prestigious group."
PCB Chairman congratulates Sana Mir
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday congratulated Sana Mir on her induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, calling it a proud moment for the country and a landmark achievement in women's cricket history.
In an official statement released by the PCB, Naqvi praised Mir's extraordinary career and her significant role in uplifting the stature of Pakistan on the international stage.
"Well done, Sana Mir. The daughter of Pakistan has brought great honor to our homeland. She raised the green crescent flag high and brought recognition to Pakistan worldwide," said Naqvi.