Women's World Cup 2025

Former Pakistan cricketer Sana Mir has issued a clarification on her controversial Azad *** statement, made on live TV during the Women's ODI World Cup 2025. Commentating in the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match on Thursday, Mir referred to Natalia Pervaiz as a player hailing from Azad ..., a part of India that is occupied by Pakistan.

A huge uproar followed on social media as she got called out by a section of the fans who noted her remark on live TV. "Natalia, who comes from Kashmir, Azad ..., plays in Lahore, a lot of cricket. She has to come to Lahore to play most of her cricket there,” Mir had said while referring to the cricketer.

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Indian fans did not take the former Pakistan player's comment kindly and corrected her usage of words. They stated that Natalia Pervaiz belonged to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and not from Azad ....

Late on Thursday evening, Sana Mir issued a clarification on her social media profile, stating that her comment was harmless and had been blown up on social media. She stood by her words and stated that her remarks in the commentary were not political in nature, and she was simply relaying the facts stated on ESPNcricinfo's page, where she does the majority of her research from.

Mir stated that it was sad that this required an explanation at the public level.

Women's ODI World Cup: PAK W vs BAN W; Match Report

Sana Mir's Statement on Azad Kashmir Controversy

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 the public level.

My comment about a Pakistan player's hometown was only meant to highlight the challenges she faced coming from a certain region in Pakistan and her incredible journey. It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators about where the players come from. I did that today for two other players coming from other regions too. Please don’t politicise it. As a commentator on the World Feed, we are meant to focus on the sport, teams, and players, highlighting inspiring stories of grit and perseverance. There is no malice in my heart or any intention to hurt sentiments.

I am also attaching the screenshot of where I research most of my players from, whether from Pakistan or any other country. I realise that they have changed it by now, but this is what I was referring to.

India's Strained Relationship With Pakistan

The Indian cricket team's relations with Pakistan remain strained in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April. The terrorist attack, which targeted innocent civilians on holiday, saw a strong response from the Indian side in the form of Operation Sindoor.

In the aftermath of the events, the Indian men's cricket team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 and also refused to collect the winner's trophy and medals from the hands of Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds a top government position in Pakistan.

The Indian women's team is also expected to follow the procedure set by the men's side when they meet Pakistan in the Women's World Cup group stage match on Sunday, October 5.

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