**Sana Mir Retained in Commentary Panel Despite Azad Kashmir Comment**
*By Parth Dhall | Oct 05, 2025 | 07:54 pm*
Sana Mir, the former Pakistan cricket captain, has been retained in the commentary panel for the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup match between India and Pakistan. This decision was made despite the controversy that arose over her on-air mention of “Azad Kashmir” during Pakistan’s opening match against Bangladesh last Thursday.
**Controversy Erupts Over On-Air Remark**
During the match, while discussing batter Natalia Pervaiz’s background, Mir said, “Yes, they have won the qualifiers, but a lot of these players are new. Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad Kashmir.” This comment sparked significant backlash on social media, with many users calling for Mir’s removal from the commentary team.
**Sana Mir Responds to Backlash**
In response to the criticism, Mir took to X (formerly Twitter), expressing her disappointment at what she described as an exaggeration of the issue. She highlighted the undue pressure being placed on sports personalities and urged fans to avoid politicizing the sport.
**Clarification Issued: No Malice Intended**
Mir clarified that her intention was never to offend anyone or hurt sentiments. She emphasized that the mention was part of the storytelling commentators do to provide context about where players come from. “It’s part of the storytelling we do as commentators about where players come from,” she explained. “I did that today for two other players coming from other regions too.”
**Commitment and Transparency**
To further clarify, Mir shared a screenshot of the research source she uses to gather background information on players, both from Pakistan and other countries. She acknowledged that the source has since been changed but confirmed that this was the reference point for her comment.
Although Mir did not feature on Star Sports—the official Women’s World Cup broadcaster in India—her on-air appearance was widely circulated and discussed on social media.
Despite the controversy, the decision to retain Sana Mir in the commentary panel underscores a commitment to separating sports commentary from political debates and focusing on the essence of the game.
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