Sana Mir’s Controversial Comment and the Backlash
Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir has found herself in the middle of an online storm after a comment she made during Pakistan’s opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. While discussing batter Natalia Pervaiz’s background, Mir referred to her as coming from “Azad Kashmir”, a term that sparked immediate outrage among Indian viewers.
During her commentary, Mir had said, “Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays in Lahore a lot of cricket…” — a statement many social-media users interpreted as politically charged. Soon after, #SanaMir trended on X (formerly Twitter), with some users demanding the ICC remove her from the official commentary panel.
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Mir Issues Clarification: “Don’t Politicise It”
Following the backlash, Mir released a statement on X, clarifying her intent and calling the controversy an overreaction. She said her remark was simply part of a player-profile discussion — a routine bit of storytelling about athletes’ journeys.
“My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was meant to highlight her challenges and her incredible journey. Please don’t politicise it,” Mir wrote.
She further added that her research about players often comes from official online databases and player profiles, which may have since been updated. “There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments,” she concluded.
Still on Duty for IND vs PAK Match
Despite the online uproar, Sana Mir was seen on the broadcast panel again for the India vs Pakistan clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Although she did not appear on Star Sports, which carried the Indian feed, a screenshot showing her alongside Mithali Raj surfaced from the world feed broadcast used by Pakistan’s channel.
The match itself carried massive emotional weight — India’s second league game and Pakistan’s chance to bounce back after their opening loss to Bangladesh. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, while India made one change, bringing in Renuka Thakur for Amanjot Kaur.
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What It Means for ICC and Commentary Neutrality
This episode once again brings up the sensitive issue of maintaining political neutrality in international sports broadcasting. The ICC has not issued any official comment on the controversy, and Mir’s continued presence suggests that the governing body may not view the incident as a breach of conduct.
For now, Sana Mir continues her commentary duties, balancing between her role as a storyteller of the game and the scrutiny that comes with being a public voice on a global platform.
