End of reign: Sana axed as Pakistan’s ODI captain

Bismah to lead the side as PCB revamps women’s cricket structure

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday sacked Pakistan ODI captain Sana Mir as part of its revamp of the women’s cricket structure.

Bismah Maroof, already leading the side in the T20 format, was appointed the new skipper in a press release by the PCB.

“Following a review of the current women cricket structure, after a dismal performance of the team in the recently concluded World Cup, the PCB has reviewed the relevant reports of coach, captain, chief selector and manager and has interviewed the manager, captain and general manager of women cricket,” the release read.

As a result of the aforementioned review, PCB also decided to dismiss Shamsa Hashmi, the general manager of the women's wing.

Furthermore, the selection committee, led by Mohammad Ilyas, has been disbanded.

Also gone is Ayesha Ashar, the team's long-standing manager, although she has been assigned an interim post in the women's wing until a new general manager is appointed.

Chairman Najam Sethi backed the PCB’s decision saying it was 'taken after a comprehensive internal review’.

"The decisions have been taken to address the decline in the performance of women's team," said Sethi. "These are well thought-out decisions taken after a comprehensive internal review. I am hopeful that we will transform women's cricket into a well-knit unit both on the field and at the management level.”

Sethi then praised Sana’s contributions towards women’s cricket in Pakistan.

“Sana Mir has made great contributions towards Pakistan's women cricket,” he said. “She has played an instrumental role for women's cricket in Pakistan. She has led the team with great respect and had always used her best abilities to serve the women's team.”