'Azad Kashmir' controversy: Pak commentator issues clarification - 'It is sad'

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 was marred by contention connected Thursday aft erstwhile Pakistan skipper and commentator Sana Mir came nether dense disapproval for an on-air remark referring to “Azad Kashmir”. The incidental occurred during Pakistan’s opening clash against Bangladesh, erstwhile Mir, portion describing batter Natalia’s cricketing background, said: “…captaining a precise young side. Yes, they person won the qualifiers, but a batch of these players are new. Natalia who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, plays successful Lahore a batch of cricket. She has to travel to Lahore to play astir of her cricket there.” The remark instantly drew reactions crossed societal media, with Indian fans tagging the ICC and

BCCI

, demanding her removal for allegedly politicising the broadcast. With the ICC known for its strict stance connected neutrality, the statement implicit whether Mir’s words crossed a enactment rapidly escalated.In effect to the backlash, Mir posted a three-paragraph clarification connected X, stressing that her words were taken retired of context. “It’s unfortunate however things are being blown retired of proportionality and radical successful sports are being subjected to unnecessary pressure. It is bittersweet that this requires an mentation astatine nationalist level,” she wrote.

Sharing a screenshot of a fashionable cricket website, wherever her birthplace is mentioned arsenic "Azad Kashmir", she clarified that her volition was lone to item a player’s inheritance and resilience: “My remark astir a Pakistan player's hometown was lone meant to item the challenges she faced of coming from a definite portion successful Pakistan and her unthinkable journey. It is portion of the communicative telling we bash arsenic commentators arsenic wherever the players travel from.

I did that contiguous for 2 different players coming from different regions, too. Please don’t politicise it. As a commentator connected the World Feed, we are meant to absorption connected the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is nary malice successful my bosom oregon immoderate volition to wounded sentiments.” She further attached a screenshot of her probe sources, noting: “I realise that they person changed it by now, but this is what I was referring to.”Meanwhile, connected the field, Bangladesh cruised to a ascendant seven-wicket triumph implicit Pakistan. Chasing 130, they reached 131 for 3 successful 31.1 overs, with opener Rubya Haider anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 54 disconnected 77 balls, supported by Sobhana Mostary’s 24 not out. Earlier, Pakistan were bundled retired for 129 successful 38.3 overs, with Rameen Shamim (23) and Fatima Sana (22) offering little resistance. Bangladesh’s bowlers Shorna Akter (3 wickets), on with Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter (two each), ensured a broad triumph that overshadowed Pakistan’s shaky batting display.