Sana Mir Issues Clarification After ‘Azad Kashmir’ Remark During Women’s World Cup Commentary

Colombo, October 3, 2025: Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has issued a clarification following controversy over her reference to “Azad Kashmir” during live commentary in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

The incident occurred on Thursday during Pakistan’s clash against Bangladesh in Colombo, when Mir, while speaking about batter Natalia Pervaiz, first referred to her as being from “Kashmir” before correcting herself to “Azad Kashmir.” The slip immediately gained traction on social media, prompting criticism that she was politicising the broadcast.

In a detailed statement shared on social media, Mir expressed regret that her words had been misinterpreted and the matter “blown out of proportion.” She clarified that her intent was solely to highlight the player’s journey and the challenges she had overcome.

“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, sharing where players come from,” Mir wrote.

Emphasising that there was no political motive behind her words, the former captain urged audiences not to politicise her commentary. “I did that today for two other players coming from different regions as well. Please don’t politicise it. As commentators, we focus on the sport, the teams, and the players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments,” she added.

To further support her explanation, Mir shared a screenshot of her research material, noting that the source had since been updated to avoid misinterpretation.