Two days before the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, the ICC unveiled its newest Hall of Fame inductees, recognizing seven iconic figures from across the cricketing world. MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Sarah Taylor, and Sana Mir were honoured for their remarkable contributions to the game. Notably, Sana Mir became the first Pakistani woman to be inducted.
Mir, a trailblazer for Pakistan women’s cricket, captained in 72 ODIs and 65 T20Is, and remains the country’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 151 scalps. She led Pakistan to Asian Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014, and reached No. 1 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings in 2018. Reflecting on her journey, she said:
“From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country… this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine.”
MS Dhoni's induction was widely celebrated across India. The former captain won all three ICC white-ball trophies—2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy—a feat no other captain has achieved. He scored over 10,000 ODI runs at an average above 50 and led India to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
Australian opener Matthew Hayden was recognized for his dominant and aggressive style at the crease. A key figure in Australia’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup wins, Hayden scored 30 Test centuries and maintained a career Test average of over 50.
South Africa's dynamic duo—Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith—were also inducted. Amla, known for his elegance and endurance, became the first South African to score a triple century in Tests (311* vs England, 2012), and ended with over 55 international centuries.
Smith, appointed captain at just 22, led South Africa in 109 Tests—still a world record—and 150 ODIs, winning more Tests (53) than any other South African leader.
New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, one of only three players to achieve 4000 Test runs and 300 wickets, was honoured for his all-round brilliance and leadership. He captained New Zealand to the final of the 2009 Champions Trophy and played an instrumental role across formats.
Sarah Taylor of England was celebrated for her revolutionary wicketkeeping skills and key contributions to England’s 2009 and 2017 World Cup wins. With 232 international dismissals, she helped redefine the role of the wicketkeeper in women’s cricket. Taylor has also been an advocate for mental health, taking brave steps to speak openly about anxiety and personal challenges.
Taylor summed up the emotional gravity of the honour, saying:
“Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is one of the best moments of my life… Women’s cricket has been thriving in recent years, and receiving this award during such a significant time makes it even more special.”
This batch of inductees showcases the global breadth and diversity of cricket's modern icons, spanning multiple continents, eras, and forms of the game.