The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced its latest Hall of Fame inductees, coinciding with the build-up to the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Joining this esteemed group are MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Sarah Taylor, and Sana Mir. Notably, Mir has become the first Pakistani woman to receive this honour.
Sana Mir’s cricketing journey began in 2005, and she captained Pakistan in 72 of her 120 One Day Internationals (ODIs), along with 65 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Her leadership saw Pakistan clinch Asian Games gold medals in both 2010 and 2014. A skilled off-spinner, she leads Pakistan’s ODI wicket tally with 151 dismissals and was the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2018. Reflecting on this achievement, Mir said, “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 idolised long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine. I am incredibly grateful for this honour and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can.”
MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain, played a pivotal role in lifting India’s cricketing fortunes, notably ending their long drought with a successful World Cup campaign in 2011. Highlights of his illustrious career include hitting the winning runs in that World Cup, and leading India to victories in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Dhoni played 350 ODIs, amassing over 10,000 runs with an average of more than 50. “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever,” he expressed upon receiving the honour.
Matthew Hayden, renowned for his aggressive batting style, ended his career with 30 Test centuries and an average exceeding 50. His contributions were instrumental in Australia’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup victories.
Hashim Amla, a pivotal figure in South Africa’s rise to the number one Test team, was the first South African to score a Test triple century. He concluded his career with over 55 centuries across all formats.
Graeme Smith, Amla’s team-mate, became South Africa’s Test captain at just 22. His leadership spanned over 109 Tests, making him the only player to captain a Test side for more than 100 matches. Smith’s impact was similarly profound in ODIs, where he led his country in 150 games.
These inductees stand among cricket’s greats, each leaving an indelible mark on the game with their unique talents and achievements.
