After Pakistan's dismal World Cup performance, Sana Mir may lose captaincy

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

Pakistan captain Sana Mir is likely to lose captaincy as well as her place in the team after Pakistan's dismal performance in the ICC Women's World Cup in England.

“She (Sana) failed to lead Pakistan in a proper way. Her own performance too was not satisfactory. The board is likely to take a decision next week about her future role in the team,” a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told APP on Monday.

The national women's team ended their woeful World Cup campaign on Saturday after suffering a 15-run defeat at the hands of the struggling Sri Lankans. Overall, this was their seventh straight defeat in the prestigious event.

The Mir-led side also finished as the only outfit in the tournament to be defeated in all fixtures they played.

The team had arrived back home early Monday.

The PCB source said all-rounder Bismah Maroof is likely to be the next choice for the board to lead the national team.

“As per my information, Sana will lose both captaincy and her place in the team. Bismah will be handed over the reigns of the team's stewardship. She is a seasoned player and over the years has evolved into a dependable player,” he said.

The 25-year-old Bismah, who is Pakistan's second-most experienced player in ODIs after Sana, was ruled out of the Women's World Cup due to a hand injury in Pakistan's match against England early in the tournament. She was replaced by all-rounder Iram Javed.

The source said women team's coach Sabih Azhar is also likely to lose his job.

“The team displayed a poor show in all the areas under him. He was not appointed coach on permanent basis and during his short stint with the team he failed to impress,” he added.

The source said that the board was considering appointing a new coach for the women's team from the National Cricket Academy's coaches.

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The Cricketer

Jul 17, 2017 03:57pm

What a farce ! the only player who performed throughout . Bowling , even batted though she is a bowling all around and the best fielder . The coach , the selection committee and the Chairperson Shamsa Hashmi who is managing other roles , need to be dumped with professional management .

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RajputAwan - UK

Jul 17, 2017 04:08pm

Its has been a tough tour for our girls competing against well known teams like, England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, etc. However, we should analyze our weaknesses and focus on them and work hard for improvement. Getting rid of players and coach after the events is not the answer or solution of our problems. Strong mindset and determination along with willingness to learn and work hard is the way forward and will produce tangible results in the future.

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What'myname

Jul 17, 2017 04:13pm

But they will against Pakistani men's team. What do you think?

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a ali

Jul 17, 2017 04:17pm

I am surprised to note Sabih Azhar is our WC team coach... I belong to Pindi and this guy used to play with me as well... he is not even worthy of playing cricket at club level and he was assigned the task to lead our International WC team. mindboggling and disappointing to see our cricket will stoop to this level. we should appoint someone with higher cricketing brains to coach our WC team. nevertheless, Sana Mir should be retained and given another chance... she is one who made us reach this level.

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wtf

Jul 17, 2017 04:20pm

@The Cricketer ive no idea what that means, but i did write farce some place...i dont remember where tho

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Ahmed

Jul 17, 2017 04:20pm

Now that is harsh. She is the only saving grace in their dismal outing. And now all of a sudden you make someone captain who hasn't even played the world cup. Reminds a lot like when Azhar Ali was made the ODI captain

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Rashid Ansari

Jul 17, 2017 04:33pm

I have watched their game and it shows how poorly they have played. The players repeated the same poor shots every time and did not learn from their previous mistakes The role of the coach is also questionable. It appears that they just went there for picnic party. Regards Dr Rashid Ansari

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Rashid

Jul 17, 2017 04:39pm

Don't resign follow your PM footsteps.

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nasir s.

Jul 17, 2017 04:44pm

A harsh criticism of the team. In reality the team faces hurdles everyday in Pakistan and needs time to improve. Certainly better physical fitness, improved management and fielding coach will help the team. I do not think their performance was as bad as stated. Nearly beat South Africa in their first game, restricted India to a below par score and then also challenged West Indies and Sri Lanka in close games. They also started off well against England to add to that.

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Desi_Baba

Jul 17, 2017 04:46pm

Good decision. They wanted to be treated at par with boys huh? Well - this is what they go thru when they lose!

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citizen

Jul 17, 2017 04:55pm

Unfortunately Sana talked more and performed less...captain lacked inspiration...

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Saad

Jul 17, 2017 04:59pm

Passion comes with people interest in the game. Fan following and limelight does play an important role in inspiring players to perform and make a career in respective sports. Women cricket is never a focus thus player perform with half heart and are casual in their approach

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Sayed Faraz Ali Shah

Jul 17, 2017 05:00pm

Sana Mir is like personality cult in team. She look like fashion model but less like a cricketer. It is time for her to focus domestic work rather than playing cricket

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Jul 17, 2017 05:18pm

She will likely survive as she is from Panjab.

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Ali

Jul 17, 2017 05:24pm

Before discussing the SANA MIR's perfomance Can someone ask PCB , When was the last time they even bothered to pay Women Cricket any salary Please?

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Feroz

Jul 17, 2017 05:24pm

How can you sack Sana Mir the only player to put up some resistance and show fight in the current team. She is the only one with pass marks in the current World Cup. Do not know much about the Coach and Manager to make a comment.

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AXH

Jul 17, 2017 05:26pm

So, the 2nd most experienced player after Sana, Bismah, was ruled out of the Women's World Cup due to a hand injury in Pakistan's match against England early in the tournament. Sana Mir had to play with the troops she had at her disposal and she did the best she could. The administration is trying to save face, as usual, by not taking collective responsibility of the sub par display in the event.

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Riaz

Jul 17, 2017 05:29pm

Poor preparation, poor,training, poor,tactics, the team unfortunately has lot of work to be done. First will be to get professional management in place and then the first task is to get them fit! Fitness is controllable then we should at the,player roles. This sad because is T20 they showed promise, but longer format shows their short comings.

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Fazzy

Jul 17, 2017 05:33pm

Poor display by our women team in the world cup....not a single win and 15 consecutive losses...team management and coach should be questioned...they all need a massive change within...WC matches are the most imp. And there was no spark at all!

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Mushtaque Ahmed

Jul 17, 2017 06:23pm

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REVERSESWING

Jul 17, 2017 06:33pm

Is she alone responsible for our team's seven consecutive defeats ? I think our overall standard is very low as compared to others.

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Huma

Jul 17, 2017 06:52pm

@ cricketer I 100 % agree with you. Shamsha hashmi and all the team mamgnemet should be sacked as well, sacking only the captain who was was the only performing player will not solve the problem. Good luck PCB, for finding another Sana Mir.

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Syed Jamal

Jul 17, 2017 06:55pm

By the way, who is this Sabih Azhar? Has he ever played international cricket and/or to whom is he related in the PCB setup?

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UsmanLakhwera

Jul 17, 2017 06:59pm

I personally feel, this is an eye opener for Pakistan women cricket team. There should be accountability and we need to change the captain and the management who took up this task. This is beyond dismal performance and captain must stand up to the criticism. We need to give better technique, physical and mental fitness to the players in order to meet today's ODI cricket structure. Sana Mir Must step down. Pakistan cannot turn the tables in 1-2 years, but we must plan for at least 5-8 years plan to groom a team that will be a champion team.

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Shahid

Jul 17, 2017 07:13pm

No captain or player should be fired but let us start with the PCB officials, then selectors and then coaches.

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Jawad

Jul 17, 2017 07:16pm

The women team didn't show any commitment whatsoever like the men team. Nobody looked interesting for playing or coaching or managing for Pakistan. Everyone should be dropped and a new team with a new management having commitment with attacking mindset should replace them

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syed

Jul 17, 2017 07:22pm

is there a need to play cricket seriously how many women in Pakistan play cricket so what is the big deal

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Govind

Jul 17, 2017 07:23pm

I have watched all matches played by women in green. It was a all around poor performance by the team. However the saving grace was Sana Mir. Not only she played well she showed lot confidence. It is really a sad that she would be removed. PCB should have to do lot more if they want the team performance to improve. However the last would be to replace the captain

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Balaji Aiyer

Jul 17, 2017 07:33pm

Most of the players looked like they have been irregular with their fitness and cricket looked more recreational . It is because there are only a handful few countries so Pakistan has to be included to complete the quorum. Quite a disgrace.

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Khurram Jadoon

Jul 17, 2017 07:58pm

Beside worst techniques in both - batting and bowling, most of these girls are not at the fitness level required for WC games. We as nation and PCB as authority, need to encourage more and more young girls (daughters/sisters) to come out at early age to develop their techniques and enhance their fitness along with the love for the game. It should start from schools/colleges and then there should be franchising to support national level competitions. We all need to play a role here instead of criticizing these girls - their participation made us proud, lets think ahead now.

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Shaheen

Jul 17, 2017 08:13pm

time to rest over hyped players. Keep politics out of selection, and pick only genuine talent

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Syed Quadri

Jul 17, 2017 08:19pm

Has anybody tried questioning the female cricket team coach who was on a slapping spree slapping people around left and right instead of doing his job?? where is that great legend??

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Sam

Jul 17, 2017 08:58pm

I think its a good decision, Sana got her chance and unfortunately under her watch, Pak team got smoked in almost all games. Its time to prepare next leader for next global event. I think its a wise decision to make a change. You dont get chances based on failures. That is only allowed in politics :)

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Shahid

Jul 17, 2017 10:26pm

Sana Mir is the only girl who performed with the ball and the bat. She is actually good enough to be selected only as a bowler. The replacement being named, Bismah herself has been a failure for a very long time now.

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Junaid

Jul 17, 2017 10:50pm

Umar akhmal should be given a chance now..he is working hard

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Hassan

Jul 17, 2017 10:58pm

The only player deserves to be im team. She gave T20 captaincy to Bismah so Bismah could learn.

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SuperDAD

Jul 17, 2017 11:32pm

Thats not fair. The mens team gets so many chances to prove themselves.

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secularist

Jul 18, 2017 12:49am

@RajputAwan - UK Do you wanna guess who New Zealand lost their quarter finals and and by a very big margin? It is the same team which defeated these girls by 95 runs.

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Shamsuddin

Jul 18, 2017 01:33am

I would like to apply for the coachs job. I play cricket in the galli daily with a rubber ball.

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Malik

Jul 18, 2017 03:11am

Some one is making money over here by politicising women cricket ....sana is a good player ....n captain .... Give them good coach ... How can Pakistani women z team not stand against it all together ... This is the time to make n break eventually u all will b out ... One by one

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Naheed

Jul 18, 2017 03:42am

In my opinion Sana Mir is not a bad leader it is the openers who gave disappointed start specially Naheeda/ Ayesha Zafar/ Javeria and Iram Javed, Sana Mir tried 2-3 times to save the matches and to put runs on the board she never find solid partnership overall bowling was very poor too except by Diana Baig/ Singh and fielding was below standard. PCB and coach should work with team and show their recording of mistakes they did in the play. Should show them baseball players fielding etc. Don't forget Sana Mir had a catch taken in India's match was repeatedly shown on tv and got Nissan car prize. Team should be expose to matches intercity/ interprovincial/ etc. Or Pakistan premier league for women.

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Satya

Jul 18, 2017 04:34am

Sad to see the only player who performed in any shape or form for the team is being let go. What a shame. People should ask the question as to why the rest of the players with such subpar performance are still part of the team. It is a team game and everyone should shoulder responsibility. No player should be made a scape goat.

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Zayn

Jul 18, 2017 08:10am

How abt build schools , sports center than just focusing on branding these untalented players. We have to train our women from ground up, not use them for just marketing and embarrassment.

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Mohsin Bashir

Jul 18, 2017 09:31am

So contrast in the performance of men & women !

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YOUKNOWIMRIGHT

Jul 18, 2017 10:16am

Shifting the deckchairs isn't going to help. Cricket for women in Pakistan needs a massive transfusion at grassroots level to encourage more young girls to play the sport to increase the pool from which national players can be picked. At the moment the pool is far too small compared with other countries in the top echelon, with the natural consequence that there are not enough young women in Pakistan of the caliber required to compete successfully at elite level. True, the girls who participated were out of their depth, but it was not their fault. Sana Mir should be encouraged rather than castigated. She simply did not have the required talent alongside her to get the sort of results Pakistani cricket fans crave. First, grow the talent pool at grassroots then reset your expectations.

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The Cricketer

Jul 18, 2017 10:35am

Very disturbing to see some below the belt comments about our players , yes they had a horrible campaign but these ladies need our support . The team has been giving good performances as well , even in the WC atleast 3 - 4 matches could have gone their way , the team as a whole couldn't click . The structure and facilities need an overhaul . In terms of contracts , are you aware the girls haven't been paid by PCB for the last 7 months? Since Sana Mir is in question , lets call a spade a spade and see her actual stats which are not never displayed by the media. She is a bowler primarily . So check the stats first bowling , where its portrayed that she isnt performed in batting . Source cricinfo Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 ODIs 102 100 4963 3077 110 5/32 5/32 27.97 3.71 45.1 3 1 0 T20Is 75 74 1586 1364 66 4/13 4/13 20.66 5.16 24.0 4 0

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hnmirza

Jul 18, 2017 10:39am

Unfair expectations from the women's team. It is enough of a credit to them that they managed to play and reasonably hold their own against teams that have full financial and moral support of their national populace unlike Pakistan where more than half the population consider women participation in sport to be some kind of heresy. They cannot be expected to perform like our mens team- there is a long gap in their respective initiations and a long road ahead for women's cricket in Pakistan to even catch up with the women of other nations.

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Pakistan First

Jul 18, 2017 11:02am

Very patiently following our so called media specialists on PTV and the SCORE on GEO who have no idea about cricket and especially women cricket . They are only working on the agenda of downgrading the team and especially the Captain ( who is the only one who has performed in the miserable campaign ) and the genuine ambassador for Pakistan . Look at all the international media , BBC , ICC and other coverage around her. PCB women wing is systematically destroying women cricket and quality players . The so called grouping which is being used as a selling point the main reason anyone knows? Let me enlighten and I hope PCB higher ups including the Chairman and COO see this , was there any grouping issue till the time Bushra Aitzaz was the Chairperson Women Wing till two years ago ? Bringing in Shamsa Hashmi and Urooj Mumtaz both medicore players and who have thrived during there respective tenures by creating rifts and breaking teams are the reason Women Team is struggling as a unit.

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mastana

Jul 18, 2017 12:34pm

Not body watches women's cricket. What a waste of resources.

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Kashif Ahmad

Jul 18, 2017 01:17pm

They were unlucky too, but I must say there was some more captaincy and terrible batting performances, Sana Mir is herself disappointed, the good players need to finish. Some nice talent Diana Baig, Kainat and Nain Abidi.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 18, 2017 04:05pm

It's high time and the right time for Sana Mir to call it a quits with honor, dignity and respect immediately. At the same time, she must show the guts and the grit to accept responsibility as skipper of green-shirts for losing all matches in the recently concluded 2017 Women Cricket World Cup held in England. However, based on her fitness and form, she might offer her services for the team as an ordinary all-rounder, if deemed fit for selection by the PCB selection committee.

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Cricket-one

Jul 19, 2017 10:29am

Good decision, to oust the person who did not perform well. But who did perform well, from the rest of the team ?

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Raheel Ahmed

Jul 19, 2017 12:55pm

a big round of applause by Management, but it is enough for women cricket Team, no way this sort of decision is not fruitful to team , be a realistic and find out the true reasons of historical lost in the little tournament, we need sana aunty back to his responsibility and continue his loses journey back, and in future we don't need little worldcup, We need PLANET CUP

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israr

Jul 19, 2017 02:01pm

may be not as captain but I would like to see her as Pakistani middle order like at no 4 batter and 5-6 over off-spin like hafeez and imad in men's side

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israr

Jul 19, 2017 02:05pm

@The Cricketer that does not mean she could continue as captain, she has been playing way down the order not sure that is because of burden of captaincy, plus she is at best 5-6 overs bowler so I say no she cannot be treated as bowling alrounder infact she is a batting alrounder and needs to be set free to play her game, bismah should captain the side and need to play the game as t20 with 2 batters playing solid 70-80 sr rate Pakistan needs 2 pacers with atleast 125 km/h and 2 left arm spinners/ leggie batting looks ok but needs to play a lot of competitive games to handle pressure

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k k tiwari

Jul 19, 2017 02:42pm

Why Sana is being sacrificed ? she is only one of the players of team .They did well in bowling .They need more training by a good coach .

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Salim Adaya

Jul 20, 2017 12:43am

It is very easy for the cricketing officials to blame the captain and the team. However, the officials must be asked what have they done to improve the standard of Women cricketers. Are the promoting the game in the schools and colleges? Do they loan out coaches to the various institutions on a rotational basis? is there some sort of league tournament? The shame is not on the cricket team or the captain but on them, because they expect great results without allocating the resources in the right areas. I am sure the officials had a ball as they must have gone along with the team for a free ride!

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Huma

Jul 20, 2017 05:29am

Sana should step down as she did for T20 , because she had a very long innings as a captain and it is the right time to pass the baton . She should , however not step down because of the dismissal performance of the batters for which she has zero responsibility . The responsibility of improving the batting skills rests with the individual player and the batting coach. Sana was the "lone warrior " who showed best batting figures against the top teams India, New Zealand and Australia.

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