A major controversy erupted during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 after Pakistani commentator and former player Sana Mir referred to “Azad Kashmir” while discussing a player’s background on air. The comment was made during Pakistan’s opening match against Bangladesh and immediately drew backlash from viewers, who accused Mir of injecting politics into what should have been a purely sporting event.

While introducing Pakistan batter Natalia Parvaiz during the commentary, Mir said, “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.” The phrase “Azad Kashmir” was seen by many as a politicized reference to a disputed territory.

Cricket, particularly in the subcontinent, has long carried political undertones, especially in the context of India-Pakistan relations. However, commentators are generally expected to avoid geopolitically sensitive terminology during broadcasts. Many argued that Mir’s words, whether intentional or not, violated the spirit of neutrality that international sporting events are supposed to uphold.

### Netizens React

Though Pakistan’s on-field struggles were expected to dominate post-match discussions, the focus quickly shifted to the commentary booth. The remark reignited debates about the role of broadcasters and how much care should be taken while discussing players’ origins, especially in politically sensitive regions.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about maintaining neutrality and sensitivity in sports commentary to ensure that the focus remains on the game itself.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/icc-womens-world-cup-2025-pakistan-commentator-makes-azad-kashmir-reference-on-air-during-pak-w-vs-ban-w-match-video

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