ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Sana Mir, the trailblazing former captain of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, received a prestigious honour on Thursday as she rang the ceremonial bell at Lord’s Cricket Ground to mark the start of day two of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final between Australia and South Africa.
The bell-ringing ceremony, held each morning of a Test match at the historic venue, has been a revered tradition since 2007. It is typically performed by a distinguished former player or official and serves as the official signal for play to begin.
Sana took part in the tradition ahead of a packed crowd, drawing warm applause from players, officials, and spectators alike. Her appearance follows her recent induction into the *ICC Hall of Fame, making her the **first Pakistani woman cricketer* to receive the honour and only the *14th female player worldwide* to be included in the elite list.
Pioneering Career Recognised
Sana Mir’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame celebrates a distinguished international career spanning nearly 15 years. She represented Pakistan in *226 matches, captaining the national side in over **100 fixtures*. As a world-class off-spinner and an inspiring leader, Sana played a crucial role in elevating women’s cricket in Pakistan and beyond.
Her Hall of Fame induction places her alongside some of cricket’s greatest names. She becomes the *eighth Pakistani cricketer* to receive this distinction, joining legends such as *Imran Khan, **Wasim Akram, **Javed Miandad, **Waqar Younis, **Abdul Qadir, **Zaheer Abbas, and **Hanif Mohammad*.
Symbolic Moment at the ‘Home of Cricket’
Sana’s bell-ringing ceremony took place before the start of play on June 12 at Lord’s—widely revered as the ‘Home of Cricket.’ The match between Australia and South Africa continued under clear skies, and her presence added symbolic weight to the day’s proceedings.
Her participation in the ritual not only celebrated her recent accolade but also served as a proud moment for Pakistan cricket and for women in sport globally.
