Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir, now serving as a commentator at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, has issued a clarification after sparking controversy during the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match in Colombo.
While describing Pakistan cricketer Natalia Pervaiz, Mir referred to her as a player “from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays in Lahore a lot of cricket.” The phrase triggered sharp criticism, particularly from Indian viewers, who accused her of injecting politics into the World Cup broadcast by mentioning a contested region.
Sana Mir responds to criticism over ‘Azad Kashmir’ remark
Following the backlash, Mir released an official statement on her social media handles. She stressed that her remarks were not political in nature, saying:
“There was no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.”
Mir explained that her words were meant to highlight Pervaiz’s background and struggles, as is common practice in international commentary. She noted that her research came from cricket databases like ESPNcricinfo, which at the time listed the player’s birthplace as “Azad Jammu and Kashmir.” According to Mir, her focus was solely on showcasing the player’s journey, not making a political statement.
Mir urged fans not to “politicise it,” asking viewers instead to appreciate the sport, teams and inspiring stories of players.
“It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is sad that this requires an explanation at public level.
My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced of coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey. It is part of the story telling we do as commentators as where the players come from. I did that today for two other players coming from other regions, too. Please don’t politicise it. As a commentator on the World Feed, we are meant to focus on the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.
I am also attaching the screen shot of where I research most of my players from, whether from Pakistan or any other country. I realise that they have changed it by now, but this is what I was referring to,” she wrote on X.
It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is sad that this requires an explanation at public level.
My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges… pic.twitter.com/G722fLj17C
— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) October 2, 2025
However, the remark comes at a sensitive time, with India-Pakistan relations tense and cricketing encounters already under heavy political scrutiny.
In the wake of the controversy, some voices on social media demanded that the ICC and the BCCI remove Mir from the commentary panel. As of now, neither cricket body has released an official statement regarding her position in the tournament’s broadcast team.
Cricket vs Politics: A familiar flashpoint
The episode highlights how cricket between India and Pakistan often becomes a flashpoint for political sentiment, even off the field. Mir’s clarification attempts to steer the focus back to the players and the World Cup itself, but the incident reflects the delicate balance between sports commentary and geopolitical sensitivities.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
