Former Pakistan captain and commentator Sana Mir was quick to come up with clarification on her controversial ‘Azad Kashmir’ comment, which was made on air during her commentary stint in the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 campaign.
During the Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women’s match on Thursday, October 2, Mir referred to Pakistan middle-order batter Natalia Prevaiz as a player coming from Azad Kashmir, a part of India that is occupied by Pakistan.
However, her comment wasn’t received well by a huge section of the cricketing audience from India. They were quick to correct the Pakistani commentator, stating that Prevaiz belonged to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and not to Azad Kashmir.
"Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad ***, plays in Lahore, a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there,” Sana Mir said on air.
On Thursday evening, Mir took to her X handle to issue a clarification, stating that her comment was blown out of proportion. However, she stood by her comments, adding that they weren’t political in nature as she was referring to the facts stated by ESPNCricinfo.
Sana Mir’s statement from her X handle:
“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.”
https://x.com/mir_sana05/status/1973794756309496304
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“Please don’t politicise it” - Sana Mir issues a clarification on her ‘Azad Kashmir’ on-air comment during ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
Sana Mir issued a clarification after Indian fans demanded her removal from the Women's World Cup commentary panel for using a political term: "There is no malice in my heart. Please don’t politicise it."
Former Pakistan captain and commentator Sana Mir was quick to come up with clarification on her controversial ‘Azad Kashmir’ comment, which was made on air during her commentary stint in the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 campaign.
During the Pakistan Women vs Bangladesh Women’s match on Thursday, October 2, Mir referred to Pakistan middle-order batter Natalia Prevaiz as a player coming from Azad Kashmir, a part of India that is occupied by Pakistan.
However, her comment wasn’t received well by a huge section of the cricketing audience from India. They were quick to correct the Pakistani commentator, stating that Prevaiz belonged to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and not to Azad Kashmir.
"Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad ***, plays in Lahore, a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there,” Sana Mir said on air.
On Thursday evening, Mir took to her X handle to issue a clarification, stating that her comment was blown out of proportion. However, she stood by her comments, adding that they weren’t political in nature as she was referring to the facts stated by ESPNCricinfo.
Sana Mir’s statement from her X handle:
“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.”
https://x.com/mir_sana05/status/1973794756309496304
Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!