KARACHI: Former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir announced her retirement from international cricket Saturday after a glittering career that saw her become the most successful female spinner in one-day international history.
The 34-year-old took the top spot in women’s ODI rankings in 2018 and helmed the team that took home gold from the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games.
Her rise dovetailed with the growth in sporting opportunities for Pakistani women, 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.
She is one of only nine women cricketers to have taken 100 wickets and scored 1,000 runs in ODI matches.
She also led Pakistan to two World Cups and five T20 World Cups.
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.
“It is the right time for me to move on,” Sana said.
“I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport.”
Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain retires
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Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain retires
- Mir was the most successful female spinner in one-day international history
- She led Pakistan to two World Cups and five T20 World Cups
First competitors settle into Milan’s Olympic village
- Italy was the first to move in, followed by large delegations from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Japan
- The Olympic Village in Milan is designed to house 1,700 athletes
MILAN: The Olympic Village in Milan officially opened its doors on Friday, one week before the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Games.
“Italy was the first to move in, followed by large delegations from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Japan,” the organizing committee announced in a statement.
“Further arrivals are expected this evening (Friday), including delegations from the Netherlands and Australia,” added Milano-Cortina 2026.
While the opening ceremony takes place on February 6, the competitions start as early as February 4, notably with curling at Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites.
The Olympic Village in Milan is designed to house 1,700 athletes and support staff, as Italy’s economic capital hosts most of the ice sports, including figure skating and ice hockey.
Built by a private developer, it will be converted into student residences after the Paralympic Games from March 6-15.
Another Olympic Village, this one temporary and consisting of 377 mobile homes, has been built in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the venue for the women’s alpine skiing and curling events, as well as bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton.
The 2026 Olympics, the third Winter Games organized by Italy, is spread over northern Italy as organizers favored existing sports facilities and sites accustomed to hosting major events such as Anterselva for biathlon, Bormio and Cortina for alpine skiing and Val di Fiemme for Nordic skiing.
