Cricket is often described as a gentleman’s game, but over the years, women have transformed it into a sport that inspires across borders. Among the trailblazers who gave women’s cricket its rightful place, Sana Mir stands at the top. A great Pakistani all-rounder, she represented her nation with distinction and also captained the team for almost a decade. She also laid the foundation for Pakistan women’s cricket on the global stage.
This blog shows you all the details related to Sana Mir’s career, along with her immense contribution to cricket.
Sana Mir was born on 5 January 1986 in Abbottabad, Pakistan. From a young age, she displayed leadership qualities and a passion for sports. Unlike most girls in regions where cricket was largely considered a man’s game, Sana relentlessly followed her dreams.
At a young age, she idolized players like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, developing a love for bowling, especially off-spin. She faced many cultural challenges in taking up cricket as a profession, but with her hard work, she broke the stereotypes. She has now become one of the most iconic figures in women’s cricket.
Sana Mir’s journey into international cricket was accelerated by her exceptional domestic performances.
From the very beginning, she showed maturity beyond her years as both a bowler and a leader. Within just three years of her debut, she was handed the captaincy, proving her natural ability to inspire her teammates.
Format |
Mat |
Inns |
Balls |
Runs |
Wkts |
BBI |
BBM |
Avg |
Econ |
SR |
4w |
5w |
10w |
WODIs |
120 |
118 |
5942 |
3665 |
151 |
5/32 |
5/32 |
24.27 |
3.70 |
39.3 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
WT20Is |
106 |
  105 |
2270 |
2085 |
89 |
4/13 |
4/13 |
23.42 |
5.51 |
25.5 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Format |
Mat |
Inns |
NO |
Runs |
HS |
Avg |
BF |
SR |
100s |
50s |
4s |
6s |
Ct |
WODIs |
120 |
110 |
19 |
1630 |
52 |
17.91 |
3770 |
43.23 |
0 |
3 |
121 |
1 |
42 |
WT20Is |
106 |
81 |
24 |
802 |
48* |
14.07 |
1135 |
70.66 |
0 |
0 |
56 |
0 |
26 |
Match |
Batting |
Bowling |
Date |
Ground |
Format |
Sapphires vs Tornadoes |
6 |
0/21 |
14-Apr-2023 |
Kowloon |
OTHERT20 |
Sapphires vs Barmy Army |
9 |
1/12 |
12-Apr-2023 |
Kowloon |
OTHERT20 |
Sapphires vs Falcons |
9 |
1/10 |
11-Apr-2023 |
Kowloon |
OTHERT20 |
Sapphires vs Tornadoes |
– |
– |
09-Apr-2023 |
Kowloon |
OTHERT20 |
Sapphires vs Spirit |
1* |
2/25 |
07-Apr-2023 |
Kowloon |
OTHERT20 |
As of 2025, Sana Mir is 39 years old. Though she retired in April 2020, her influence and mentorship continue to inspire the girls for pursuing cricket in Pakistan.
Sana Mir is one of the most successful female cricketers in Pakistan and her popularity has also translated into financial success.
After retirement, she has also played roles in cricket commentary, women’s empowerment projects, sports news, etc.
Sana Mir took over as the captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team in 2009 and held the position until 2017. During her captaincy, Pakistan achieved several milestones:
Sana Mir’s career is filled with numerous records and accolades:
These achievements demonstrate her individual talent as she continued to take Pakistan women’s cricket to new heights.
Sana Mir’s most significant recognition came in October 2018, when she was ranked No. 1 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. This was a proud moment not only for her but also for Pakistan cricket, proving that its women can compete with the best teams in the world.
Her rise to the top of the rankings is a testament to her consistency, accuracy and ability to perform in difficult times.
In April 2020, Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a glittering 15-year career. Fans were sad, but her retirement was celebrated as the end of a legendary journey.
Her legacy lies in:
Sana Mir was known for:
Her all-round abilities made her indispensable to Pakistan’s lineup for over a decade.
Sana Mir’s influence extends beyond the field as well. She has been a strong advocate for:
Her work has earned her respect not only as a cricketer but also as a role model for society.
Sana Mir’s career is not just inspiring. From a young girl with a dream in Abbottabad to Pakistan’s greatest female cricketer, her journey is admirable. She has also captained for years and achieved historic milestones. Her records, leadership and advocacy for women’s sports have left a lasting legacy.
Her story is proof that with determination, resilience and self-confidence, obstacles can be broken. As Pakistan women’s cricket continues to grow, the credit for laying the foundation for the future will always go to Sana Mir.
She will always be remembered not only as a cricketer but as a trailblazer who changed the face of women’s cricket in Pakistan.