Sana Mir Responds to Indian Backlash: ‘Please Don’t Politicise It’

Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has urged critics to “not politicise” her commentary after a section of Indian social media users reacted angrily to her reference to a Pakistan player’s hometown as “Azad Kashmir” during the Women’s World Cup broadcast.

Comment During Pakistan–Bangladesh Match Triggers Online Reactions

Mir, part of the ICC’s commentary panel for the tournament, made the remark during Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh in Colombo on Thursday. While introducing player Natalia Pervaiz, she said:

“A lot of these players are new. Natalia — who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir — plays in Lahore. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there.”

According to Indian media, the comment prompted social media backlash, with users tagging the ICC and BCCI, calling for Mir’s removal from the panel for “politicising the broadcast”.

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Sana Mir Issues Statement, Calls Out Overreaction

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mir — the first Pakistani female cricketer inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame — expressed disappointment:

“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.”

She clarified that her remarks were simply to highlight the player’s journey and regional challenges:

“It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators — where players come from, their struggles and triumphs. I did that today for two other players as well. Please don’t politicise it.”

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‘No Malice in My Heart’

Mir added that, as a commentator on the World Feed, her role is to focus on the sport and the players, and that there was “no malice” or political intent behind her words.

She also shared a screenshot from ESPNcricinfo, showing Pervaiz’s hometown listed as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, noting that it had since been updated to “Pakistan-administered Kashmir”.

“I am also attaching the screen shot of where I research most of my players from. I realise that they have changed it by now, but this is what I was referring to,” she wrote.

Backdrop of Recent Indo-Pak Tensions

The controversy comes weeks after India and Pakistan’s tense cricketing encounters during the Men’s Asia Cup (Sept 9–28) in the UAE, where Indian players notably refused to shake hands after matches. The tournament marked the first cricketing face-off since the May military conflict, underscoring how political tensions often spill onto the field.

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