Sana Mir, widely regarded as Pakistan’s greatest female cricketer, has called time on her 15-year international career with immediate effect, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed.

The off-spinning all-rounder captained her country 137 times, representing Pakistan 226 times in total. Her 151 wickets are the fourth-most of all time in Women’s ODIs, and she is, until now, the only bowler from Pakistan to top the ICC’s Women’s ODI bowling rankings.

Though she only scored three half-centuries and claimed one five-wicket haul at the international level, she played a key part in many of Pakistan’s finest moments. Against Sri Lanka at the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup she scored 22* and claimed 2-18, one of two wins that helped her team to a fifth-place finish, and she top-scored and claimed a wicket in Pakistan’s victory over India in the 2012 Women’s World T20. She also won gold at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games with Pakistan.

She showed little sign of worsening with age, with her figures of 4-11 that helped skittle South Africa for 65 at Potchefstroom voted Wisden’s third-best women’s spell of 2019. Mir was also chosen as captain of Wisden’s Women’s Team of the Decade.

However, her career was also marked by run-ins with the powers-that-be in Pakistan cricket. She was acrimoniously dumped from the captaincy after Pakistan’s last-place finish at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, amid rumours of a rift between her and the coaching staff, and she was controversially left out of Pakistan’s squad for the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup. Responding to that decision, she posted a cryptic tweet in which she seemed to call those who had made the call “clowns”.

In a statement, Mir said she looked forward to continue “serving” ZTBL, her departmental side. “I want to extend my gratitude to the PCB for giving me an opportunity to serve my country for 15 years,” she said. “It has been an absolute honour and privilege. I extend my gratitude to all the support staff, players, ground staff and everyone behind the scenes for their contribution in my career and development of women’s cricket.

“I also want to thank my family and mentors who provided unconditional support that allowed me to fulfil my dreams of representing Pakistan at a global stage and would also like to thank my departmental team ZTBL for their support throughout my career. I look forward to continue serving them if department cricket continues.

“Last few months have provided me with an opportunity to contemplate. I feel it is the right time for me to move on. I believe I have contributed to the best of my ability for my country and the sport. During my cricket journey, I have met and built strong friendships and bonding with some amazing cricketers in women’s cricket. Listening about their stories and philosophies have not only made me a tougher and stronger athlete but have also taught me great things about life, which are beyond yourself or the sport or winning and losing.”

PCB chief executive Wasim Khan paid tribute to Mir’s efforts for her country. “On behalf of Pakistan cricket, I congratulate Sana Mir on a highly successful career,” he said. “She has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers.

“Through her determination and passion, Sana broke the glass ceiling for women cricketers in the country. Through her performances, she not only improved the profile of women’s cricket in Pakistan, but also enhanced the image of Pakistan globally. Sana is a true legend of women’s cricket who attracted, inspired and motivated young women athletes. Moving forward, I am sure she will continue to contribute positively to women’s cricket.”