MS Dhoni is my favourite player but Virat Kohli is the team favourite: Sana Mir

Sana Mir, the Pakistan women team’s skipper, spoke candidly about the role of cricket in women empowerment in Pakistan. Sana, who has been playing professionally since the last 11 years, has played a big role in changing the perception of about women’s cricket in Pakistan.

“Yes, we have come a long way. Cricket is considered as a medium for women’s empowerment in Pakistan. Now girls want to take up cricket. This team has done a lot to change the perception. There were times it was difficult for women’s cricket in Pakistan but now parents come up and tell me that they want their daughters to play cricket,” Sana told reporters at a media conference, here today.

The Pakistan women’s team also arrived at Chennai today after the arrival of the Men’s team and had their first practice session at the M. Chidambaram Stadium. The skipper then addressed a full house press conference.

The 30-year-old has decided to give up captaincy after World T20 and wants to personally ensure that there is a smooth transition of leadership responsibility by continuing as an ordinary team member before calling time on her illustrious career. She has taken this decision after a seven-year stint as the leader of the team. But, there is a pleasing sense of satisfaction about her on-field achievement in the game.

“Always there will be somebody. We have been grooming my successor for the past three or four years. Captaining Pakistan was an honour. I think this is the right time for the next captain to take over as we are two years away from the next World T20 and Asian Games gold medal that we would be defending. This would be the best time for the new captain to come in and settle down.”

“That is the trend that I would like to set in our country because it is very important that the leadership passes on smoothly. After retirement, I will continue as a player. I will be in the team as a player until the new captain settles down. Jayawardene and Sangakkara have shown this and they have been wonderful ambassadors of the game. I think I will be available as a player.”

Sana also says that her personal cricketer is Mahendra Singh Dhoni due to his leadership skills and on and off-field persona. However, it’s Virat Kohli who is the most popular cricketer in their women’s team.

“Personally, Dhoni is my favorite player because he had led India. He has handled himself well on and off the field. He has transformed a team of juniors into an effective unit,” Sana said enthusiastically.

“There is couple of names, if I just talk about my players; I think Virat Kohli is the favorite cricketer.

Speaking about her team’s contention in the T20 event. Sana said that her squad was capable of upsetting any of the teams in fray.

The Pakistani women are set to begin their World T20 play their first game against Bangladesh at the Chidambaram stadium March 16.