Sana Mir Becomes First Pakistani Woman in ICC Hall of Fame
News Desk
Islamabad: Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has made history as the first female cricketer from the country to be inducted into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, the International Cricket Council announced.
Mir is one of seven inductees for 2024, joining cricket greats such as India’s MS Dhoni, South Africa’s Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, Australia’s Matthew Hayden, New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, and England’s Sarah Taylor.
The induction ceremony took place at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios — famously linked to The Beatles — located near Lord’s Cricket Ground, which is also hosting the ICC World Test Championship final.
At 38, Mir is the first Pakistani woman to receive this honour. She played 226 international matches for Pakistan between 2005 and 2020 and is celebrated not only for her achievements on the field but also for her contributions off it. The ICC praised her for elevating the status of women’s cricket in Pakistan and around the world.
Reflecting on the honour, Mir said, “As a young girl, I dreamt of just having a women’s team in Pakistan. To now stand among the legends I once idolised is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Mir holds the record as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in One Day Internationals (151 wickets) and ranks second in T20 Internationals (89 wickets). She also scored more than 2,400 runs in white-ball formats and led Pakistan to gold medals at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014.
She was the first Pakistani woman to reach 100 ODI wickets and topped the ICC ODI bowling rankings in 2018. That same year, she became the first Asian woman to appear in 100 T20 Internationals.
Beyond her cricketing feats, the ICC also acknowledged Mir’s advocacy work, including promoting mental health, body positivity, and her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has served on the ICC Women’s Committee and was recently appointed ambassador for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Mir on her induction, calling it a moment of pride for the entire nation.
“Congratulations, Sana Mir. You’ve elevated Pakistan’s name on the world stage. Your success is a symbol of hope for young women cricketers across the country,” Naqvi said in a statement issued Tuesday.
He praised Mir’s dedication and perseverance, adding that her recognition is not only a personal triumph but also a milestone for women’s cricket in Pakistan.
In its official tribute, the ICC noted that Mir is one of only nine women cricketers worldwide to have taken 100 ODI wickets and scored 1,000 ODI runs. Her 15-year career included five ICC T20 World Cups and two 50-over World Cups, often as team captain.
“This year, we’re proud to welcome seven exceptional individuals into the Hall of Fame,” said ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. “These players have left a lasting impact on the game and continue to inspire future generations.”
Among the other 2024 inductees, MS Dhoni was recognised for leading India to victory in all three ICC white-ball tournaments — the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Graeme Smith holds the record for most Test matches as captain (109), and Hashim Amla remains the only South African to score a Test triple-century.
Matthew Hayden was honoured for his prolific Test career, averaging over 50 and scoring 30 centuries. Daniel Vettori’s all-round achievements included over 4,500 Test runs and 300 wickets. Sarah Taylor was credited with transforming women’s wicketkeeping and playing a key role in England’s 2017 World Cup win.
