Former Pakistan skipper and commentator Sana Mir has issued a clarification after a huge row over her “Azad Kashmir” remark for one of the women players from Pakistan. During the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match between Bangladesh and Pakistan, she referred to Natalia Pervaiz as being from “Azad Kashmir” instead of “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir”. 

Row over ‘Azad Kashmir’ remark

People turned furious as she first said “Kashmir” before correcting herself to “Azad Kashmir”.

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During the broadcast, Mir said: “…captaining a very young side. Yes, they have won the qualifiers, but a lot of these players are new. 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.”

A video of the same has since gone viral on social media, and the 39-year-old has been facing a wave of criticism. While some urged the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and ICC Chairman Jay Shah to take strict action against her, others called for a ban on politicising cricket.

‘There’s nothing called Azaad Kashmir’

But before we take you through her clarification, let us see what people on the Internet have been saying. 

“This is one thing you can’t say on a global stage. Sana Mir has to go for this. There is nothing called Azaad Kashmir,” said one social media user while sharing the video. 

Another said, “Apparently, from the custodians of ‘don’t mix politics with sports’,” while referring to Pakistan, which has repeatedly said during the Asia Cup this year that India should keep politics aside and show sportsmanship. 

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“Exactly, even in a proper UN term, it can be called Pakistan Administered Kashmir,” noted a third. 

‘No malice in my heart’: Pakistan’s Sana Mir

After the backlash, Sana Mir issued a three-paragraph clarification on X (formerly Twitter). She said that her words were taken “out of proportion”. 

“It’s unfortunate how things are being blown out of proportion and people in sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure,” she said, before expressing, “It is sad that this requires an explanation at the public level.” 

She went on to say that she wanted to highlight the challenges that the Pakistan cricketer faced and talk about her inspiring journey. “It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators as to where the players come from. I did that today for two other players coming from other regions, too. Please don’t politicise it. 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.”

The 39-year-old said, “There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.” She mentioned that she relies on ESPN for her research on players, whether from India or Pakistan, and also attached a screenshot from the website.

According to the screenshot, the website mentioned that Natalia Pervaiz is from “Azad Jammu and Kashmir”. The website now shows her place of birth simply as Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 

“I realise that they have changed it by now, but this is what I was referring to,” she went on to say. 

Pakistan vs Bangladesh women’s cricket

Pakistan and Bangladesh locked horns at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat. The team set a target of 129 runs in 38.3 overs. Bangladesh achieved 131 runs in 31.1 overs and achieved a victory by 7 wickets. Marufa Akter was awarded the Player of the Match for clinching two wickets.