Did Sana Mir cross a line with her ‘Azad Kashmir’ remark? Her response might surprise you

The Sana Mir Azad Kashmir controversy has dominated headlines after the former Pakistan captain and current commentator’s remarks during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 drew backlash from Indian fans on social media.

During the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match, Mir referred to Pakistan cricketer Natalia Pervaiz’s background, saying, “Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays in Lahore, a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there.”

The comment immediately ignited criticism, particularly from Indian fans, who argued that the correct term was “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)” and accused Mir of “politicizing the broadcast” on live TV. Calls for action against her quickly spread online, amplifying the Sana Mir Azad Kashmir controversy.

Sana Mir Azad Kashmir controversy sparks debate at Women’s World Cup 2025

In response to the uproar, Mir issued a detailed clarification on social media late on October 2, 2025.

“My comment about a Pakistan player’s hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced of coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey. It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators as where the players come from. I did that today for two other players coming from other regions, too. Please don’t politicise it,” she wrote.

Mir emphasized that there was no malice or political intent in her words:

“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 also shared a screenshot of the website she had used as a source for player backgrounds, noting that the site had since updated its information.

The Sana Mir Azad Kashmir controversy underscores how sensitive geopolitical terms have become in sports broadcasting. The Women’s World Cup 2025 is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing its matches in Sri Lanka due to ongoing tensions between cricket boards — further adding to the charged atmosphere.

Mir concluded her post by urging fans and media to keep the focus on players’ journeys and the sport itself:

“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,” she said.

Despite the controversy, many fans and colleagues have supported Mir online, saying her comments were taken out of context and that the backlash was disproportionate.