The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 recently saw a stir of controversy involving former Pakistan captain and now commentator, Sana Mir. She received significant backlash for an on-air comment about “Azad Kashmir.”
During a live broadcast of Pakistan’s opening match against Bangladesh, while introducing batter Natalia Pervaiz, Mir remarked, “…Natalia, who hails from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays a lot of her cricket in Lahore. She often travels to Lahore for her matches.”
This particular comment quickly ignited a firestorm across social media. Indian fans were swift to criticize, tagging the ICC and BCCI, accusing Mir of injecting politics into a sports broadcast.
In response, Mir later issued a three-paragraph statement on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that her words were taken out of context. She asserted that her intention was purely to highlight the player’s dedication and the logistical challenges she faced, emphasizing, “There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.”
She further supported her explanation by sharing a screenshot of her original research source, noting that it had since been updated online.
Meanwhile, on the cricket field, Pakistan’s performance was disappointing. They were bowled out for a meager 129 runs, and Bangladesh comfortably chased down the target of 131 for 3 wickets, securing a decisive seven-wicket victory. Rubya Haider contributed an unbeaten 54 runs, while Shorna Akter took three key wickets for Bangladesh.
Who is Sana Mir?
Sana Mir, currently 39 years old, stands as one of Pakistan’s most celebrated women cricketers. She is widely acknowledged as a trailblazer who significantly advanced the sport in her home country.
As a former captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team, Mir led the squad for nearly a decade. Her impressive career saw her become the first Pakistani woman to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals and emerge as one of the top wicket-takers in Women’s One Day Internationals.
Beyond her remarkable on-field achievements, Mir has consistently served as a mentor and inspiration for aspiring young female cricketers. She is a vocal advocate for the growth and development of women’s cricket throughout Pakistan.
Her international career also includes representing Pakistan in numerous ICC Women’s World Cups and T20 World Cups, where she earned widespread respect for her consistent performance and exemplary sportsmanship.
Following her retirement from competitive play, Mir transitioned seamlessly into the role of a cricket commentator and analyst. She continues to share her expert insights on international broadcasts, further contributing to and shaping the global narrative of women’s cricket.