Former Pakistan women's captain Sana Mir has announced her retirement from international cricket after a glittering career that saw her become the most successful female spinner in one-day international history.
Sana, 34, topped the ODI rankings in 2018 and was a vital cog in the Pakistan teams that won gold at both the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
She was a symbol for the cultural shift of women in sports in Pakistan, who were not allowed to play in open fields in the conservative Islamic country until the early 2000s.
"It gives me great satisfaction that I have been part of the great success stories for women's cricket," she said, according to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Sana played 226 international matches since her 2005 debut and is one of only nine women cricketers to have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs in ODIs.
She also led Pakistan to two World Cups and five T20 World Cups.
📰 @mir_sana05 today called it a day on her glittering 15-year cricketing career during which she played 226 internationals, including 137 as captain from 2009 to 2017.https://t.co/ohtJsT5g08 pic.twitter.com/8DaUoGMmW6
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 25, 2020
But early this year selectors dropped her from the squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia, hinting that her career was nearing an end.
"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," Sana 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."
