Pakistan’s former women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has made history by becoming the first female cricketer from Pakistan to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced her name among seven new additions during a ceremony held at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London on Monday.
Sana has been inducted into the Hall of Fame not only for her achievements in cricket but also for her advocacy for gender equality.
Sana Mir’s Statement on Becoming Pakistan’s First Woman in ICC Hall of Fame
From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolized long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine”, said Sana about her induction.
“I am incredibly grateful for this honour and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, coaches and family for all their support over the years,” she added.
ICC Hall of Fame selection process
The ICC Hall of Fame pays tribute to cricketers whose careers have left a deep and lasting mark on the sport. To be considered, a player must be retired from international cricket for at least five years and must have had an outstanding career at the top level. The selection process is guided by the ICC Hall of Fame Voting Academy, a panel made up of former cricketers, respected journalists, match officials, and current Hall of Fame members.
Candidates are reviewed across three historical periods: the Early Cricket Era (before 1946), the ODI/Modern Era (1946 to 1970), and the Recent Era (post-1970). Typically, at least one new member is chosen from each era during each round of inductions.
When assessing nominees, the panel looks beyond just numbers. They consider not only the player’s career statistics but also their influence on the game, longevity, consistency, and sportsmanship. After the initial shortlist is drawn up, voting members cast their ballots for those they feel are most deserving of the honour.
The final inductees are formally recognised at an ICC event.
