Who is Sana Mir?
Sana Mir is a former captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team, now a respected commentator and public figure, recently trending due to controversy over an on-air “Azad Kashmir” remark during the the 2025 Women’s World Cup. In June 2025, she made history as the first Pakistani woman inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. An interesting fact she once rang the iconic bell at Lord’s Cricket Ground to open a day of play in the 2025 WTC final. Beyond her 15-year career leading Pakistan to two Asian Games gold medals, she is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equity in sports.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sana Mir |
| Nickname | “Captain Cool” |
| Profession | Former cricketer, cricket commentator, advocate/activist |
| Known For | Pakistan women’s cricket captain, successful all-rounder, advocacy for women’s sports |
| Age | 39 (as of October 2025) |
| Date of Birth | January 5, 1986 |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Years Active | International career from 2005 to 2019 (approx. 14–15 years) |
| Hometown | Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Current Residence | (Not publicly confirmed; likely in Pakistan with travel for commentary) |
| Religion | Islam (inferred) |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Educational Qualification | Studied in statistics / mathematics / sciences; attempted engineering at NUST but didn’t complete degree |
| Hobbies | Advocacy, public speaking, supporting women’s rights, media engagement |
| Marital Status | Unmarried/Single |
Early Life & Education
Sana Mir was born in Abbottabad in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on January 5, 1986. Her father, Mir Moatazid, was a colonel in the Pakistan Army, which meant the family shifted across cantonments during her childhood. This exposure to different cities and environments is said to have shaped her adaptability and resilience.
Young Sana played cricket informally (often with boys in her neighborhood) and developed her passion early. She moved across places for her schooling – in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and later Karachi. She completed matriculation at a cantonment school (Taxila, Margalla) and then F.Sc. (pre-engineering) in Karachi.
She was admitted to NUST (National University of Sciences & Technology) for engineering studies, but eventually could not complete the degree due to her growing cricketing commitments. Despite that, her academic grounding in mathematics and statistics provided a solid base alongside sport.
Her early ambitions included balancing academics and sport in a society where women in cricket were rare; she had to push through cultural and logistical challenges to pursue her dreams.
Career Journey
Debut & Early Years
Sana Mir made her ODI debut for Pakistan on December 28, 2005, against Sri Lanka. Her T20I debut came in 2009, against Ireland. Over time, her performances as an off-spin bowler and handy lower-middle-order batter earned her recognition.
Rise to Captaincy & Milestones
In May 2009, she was appointed captain of the Pakistan women’s team, a major turning point in her career. Under her leadership, Pakistan achieved several historic results, including:
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Gold medals in the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014.
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First wins in bilateral (or multilateral) series against teams such as Sri Lanka, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
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She became the first Pakistani woman to take 100 ODI wickets (in February 2017) and the first to play 100 T20 Internationals.
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In October 2018, she reached No.1 ranking in ICC’s women’s ODI bowling rankings — the first from Pakistan to do so.
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She was consistently among top 20 bowlers in ICC rankings during much of her captaincy.
Her best ODI bowling figure was 5 for 32 (against Netherlands) and her best T20I was 4 for 13.
She served as captain for about eight years before stepping down, and in later years reduced her playing commitments.
Retirement, Return & Current Roles
Sana officially announced a break from international cricket in late 2019 and then in April 2020 confirmed her full retirement from international play. She did, however, briefly return in 2022 to captain South Coast Sapphires in the FairBreak Invitational T20 tournament.
Post-retirement, she has worked as a cricket commentator, sports analyst, and advocate for women’s cricket and social issues.
In June 2025, she became the first Pakistani woman inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, alongside global cricket legends.
Also, she was granted the honour to ring the Lord’s bell to open Day 2 of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final, a symbolic tribute to her contributions to cricket.
Relationships & Personal Life
Sana Mir has maintained a highly private personal life, preferring to keep the focus on her career and her advocacy work.
- Marital Status: She is confirmed to be single and is not currently married or engaged.
- Dating History: Her past relationships and dating history are not publicly documented, as she has focused on her professional journey.
- Lifestyle: Mir is known for her disciplined, grounded lifestyle, reflecting her military background. She is highly committed to promoting basic women’s rights and the role of women’s cricket in Pakistani society.
Family Background
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Mir Moatazid (Colonel, Pakistan Army) |
| Mother | (Name not publicly confirmed) |
| Brother | (No public info) |
| Sister | (No public info) |
Controversies
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“Azad Kashmir” comment (October 2025) — While commentating on a Women’s World Cup match, Sana Mir referred to “Azad Kashmir,” which stirred political backlash and social media uproar.
She later issued a clarification, Following the backlash, Sana Mir issued a detailed clarification on X (formerly Twitter), insisting that her remarks were not political. She stated: “My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced of coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey… Please don’t politicise it. As a commentator on the World Feed, we are meant to focus on the sport.” She backed up her statement by sharing screenshots of her research sources, which she claimed mentioned the term before being updated.
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ICC Hall of Fame induction (2025) — This was a historic moment that trended heavily in Pakistani and international cricket media.
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Ringing the Lord’s bell — At the 2025 WTC final, she was given the honor to ring the iconic bell at Lord’s. This was widely covered as a symbolic moment recognizing her stature.
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She has occasionally faced criticism typical of public ex-athletes and commentators, especially when touching on sensitive socio-political topics, but none of major legal controversies are credibly documented as of 2025.
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: Sana Mir’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million (USD).
- Main Sources of Income: Her primary income streams are her salary from her long and successful cricket career, her current professional fee as a cricket commentator and sports analyst on global broadcast feeds, and various endorsement deals.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Followers Count |
|---|---|---|
| @mir.sana05 | 144K | |
| Twitter / X | @mir_sana05 | 350.3K |
| mir.sana05 | 1.4 Million |
Some Lesser Known Facts
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She is known to be an outspoken advocate against body shaming and for mental health awareness, particularly in her home country.
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She once rang the Lord’s Cricket Ground bell to officially open Day 2 of the WTC final – a rare honour for a cricketer turned commentator.
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Her induction into the ICC Hall of Fame was dedicated, in her words, “to every girl who picks up a bat or ball.”
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Early in her childhood, whenever the family shifted to a new area, she would gather neighborhood children to form impromptu cricket teams, showing her leadership from a young age.
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She had to quit her engineering degree at NUST to give full time to cricket – a difficult choice she later said was necessary to pursue her passion.
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She has spoken about her admiration for female athletes who broke barriers, and often cites them in interviews, suggesting her inspiration comes from barrier-breakers in women’s sport.
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She is disciplined in public life, with an emphasis on integrity, modesty, and social causes, rather than just personal fame – this has earned her respect in Pakistani media.
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Before fame, she played many local and street matches, and had to negotiate resources (kits, coaching) as a woman in a male-dominant environment – her early struggles are often referenced in her motivational talks.
Latest Updates
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Current Trend: In October 2025, during her commentary assignment at the Women’s World Cup, she used the term “Azad Kashmir,” triggering heated backlash and public debate.
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ICC Hall of Fame Induction (June 2025): Her most recent major recognition, making her the first Pakistani woman to be inducted.
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Ringing the Lord’s Bell (2025 WTC Final): She was invited to ring the iconic bell at Lord’s in June 2025 – widely covered in cricket media.
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Media Appearances: She continues to serve as a commentator and analyst in international women’s cricket tournaments, including Women’s World Cup events.
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Advocacy & Public Work: She remains actively involved in advocacy for women’s sports, mental health, and body positivity in Pakistan and internationally.
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While specific new projects (films, series, brand ventures) are not prominently documented, media appearances and speaking engagements are ongoing.
FAQs
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What is Sana Mir’s age?
Sana Mir was born on January 5, 1986, making her 39 years old as of October 2025. -
Is Sana Mir married?
Public records do not confirm that she is married; she is believed to be single. -
Who is Sana Mir dating now in 2025?
There is no credible public information about her dating life or current partner as of 2025. -
What does Sana Mir do for a living?
She is a former cricketer who now works as a cricket commentator, analyst, public speaker, and advocate. -
What is Sana Mir’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around USD 10 million, though this figure is unverified and based on media reports. -
What is Sana Mir known for?
She is known for being captain of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, a leading all-rounder, a trailblazer for women’s cricket in Pakistan, and now a vocal advocate on social issues. -
What are Sana Mir’s latest projects in 2025?
Her key recent highlights in 2025 include the ICC Hall of Fame induction, ringing the Lord’s bell at the WTC final, and her work as commentator in the Women’s World Cup (notably linked to the “Azad Kashmir” remark). -
Has Sana Mir been involved in any controversies?
Yes – her most high-profile controversy in 2025 was her on-air comment referring to “Azad Kashmir,” which drew significant backlash. She later issued a clarification.
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