&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Who is Sana Mir? Ex-Pak women cricketer uses 'Azad Kashmir' remark to refer to a player during Women's World Cup 2025, clarifies later")
Former Pakistan women's cricketer Sana Mir stirred a fresh controversy when she referred to a Pakistan player as hailing from 'Azad Kashmir' on air. The comment came ahead of the Women's World Cup 2025 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh women on Thursday (Oct 2) which the latter won comfortably by seven wickets in Colombo. She later took to X to clarify about her remarks and called 'thing getting out of proportion unfortunate.' Azad Kashmir is part of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which Pakistan has wrongfully occupied and is referred as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
What did Sana Mir say?
During the pre-match show, Mir, who is part of the commentary panel, was talking about Natalia Pervaiz, one of the players in Pakistan playing XI and said: “A lot of these players are new, Natalia comes from Kashmir… Azad Kashmir, but has played most of her cricket in Lahore." Mir's comment didn't go down well on social media and she faced a lot of flak for it.
She later took too X to clarify that it was not her intention to make a political statement and wrote: “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."
The controversy is the latest one after high-octane Asia Cup 2025 where India beat Pakistan in the final to win ninth continental title. They, however, were denied trophy after refusing to accept it from ACC and PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi who is also a minister in Pakistan federal government.
Trending Stories
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
)
3.5-million-year-old mystery creature found in Japan is a 'giant' never seen before
)
Anurag Kashyap speaks out against police action in CJP protest: Won’t follow this order...'
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Lip reader reveals what Donald Trump told every Spain and Argentina player after FIFA World Cup final during medal ceremony
)
‘Iran can survive sanctions, but can’t truly live’: Dy FM warns of economic cost of war
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
‘Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form in US’: Trump’s counter to Mamdani
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Maha CM Wife Amruta Fadnavis' Yoga Day appearance sparks social media debate over attire | Watch
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
)
US-Iran war: Report suggests US lost 42 aircraft, including fighter jets, reaper drones
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Spain World Cup victory parade in Madrid: Champions celebrate second FIFA World Cup title with over million fans
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
Tulsi Gabbard's brother Batarti accused of luring children to hotel room in Hawaii
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
Who is Sana Mir?
Sana Mir is considered one of the pioneers of women's cricket in Pakistan. She made her debut in 2005 and announced retirement in 2019. During her career, she played 120 Women's ODIs, scoring 1,630 runs and taking 151 wickets with a best of 52 and 5/32, respectively. Mir also played 106 Women's T20Is for Pakistan, taking 89 wickets and scoring 802 runs.
