New Delhi: Former Pakistan women’s cricketer-turned-commentator Sana Mir has attempted to clarify remarks she made during commentary in the Women’s World Cup 2025, in which she referred to a Pakistani cricketer as being from “Azad Kashmir.” Her remarks had drawn sharp criticism online for their political overtones.
During Thursday’s Pakistan vs Bangladesh match, Mir described Natalia Pervaiz as a player from “Kashmir, Azad Kashmir,” adding that she “plays in Lahore, a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there.” These comments provoked immediate backlash, especially from Indian social media users, who countered that Natalia Pervaiz was from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), not “Azad Kashmir.”
The reaction included harsh tweets such as: “What the hell is ‘Azaad Kashmir’ … You must take a stern action against this Pakistani commentator …”
Late Thursday evening, Mir addressed the controversy via social media, insisting her remarks were innocuous and taken out of context. She emphasized that her intent was not political and said she based her commentary on sources like ESPNcricinfo, where she conducts much of her research.
In her statement, she said: “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 the public level. My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey. It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators about 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 screenshot 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.”
The episode comes amid already strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, tensions escalated: the Indian men’s cricket team had refused to shake hands with Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup and also declined to receive trophies from officials with ties to Pakistan. The Indian women’s team, too, is expected to follow the men’s precedent in the upcoming Women’s World Cup group stage match against Pakistan on October 5.
