Former Pakistani cricketer Sana Mir has responded to the criticism that followed her comments about Kashmir during the Women’s ODI World Cup hosted in India. Mir, a commentator for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, faced scrutiny for her remarks made during the Pakistan vs. Bangladesh match on October 2nd. The former captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team has since provided a 171-word clarification regarding her statement.
The relationship between India and Pakistan has become strained, particularly after the Indian army’s operation following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. This tension has extended to cricket, as evidenced by the lack of handshakes between teams during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025 and the Indian team’s decision to not accept the trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi in the final. Now, during the Women’s World Cup, Sana Mir’s controversial comments about Kashmir have added fuel to the fire.
During the Women’s World Cup match against Bangladesh, while commenting on Natalia Parvez’s batting, Sana Mir sparked controversy by stating that Parvez was from ‘Azad Kashmir.’ Mir said that Parvez had to come to Lahore to play cricket. The video of Mir’s statement went viral, leading to calls for action from the ICC on social media.
Mir has since issued a 171-word explanation on her X handle. She expressed that she believes things are being blown out of proportion and that unnecessary pressure is being put on those involved in sports. Mir stated it was unfortunate that a public explanation was necessary.
She clarified that her comment was intended to highlight the challenges faced by a Pakistani player due to their hometown and to showcase the player’s remarkable journey. Mir explained that this is part of the narrative provided by commentators to provide context to the players’ backgrounds.
In her clarification, Mir noted that she had provided similar commentary about two other players from different regions. She urged against politicizing the situation, stating that she harbored no ill will nor intended to offend anyone.
Mir also shared the screenshot from which she had researched the player, clarifying that she was referencing the information available at the time, even though it may have been updated since.