Pakistani commentator causes massive controversy with 'Azad Kashmir' remark, faces sack calls from India

Amid the ongoing row over the Asia Cup trophy, cricket witnessed yet another controversy involving India and Pakistan on Thursday, this time during the Women’s World Cup that got underway earlier this week. Controversy erupted during the during the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Colombo in which former Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir mentioned “Azad Kashmir” in reference to a player while on commentary duty.

“Yes, they have won the qualifiers, but a lot of these players are new. 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,” Mir was heard saying while describing seamer Natalia Pervaiz in a clip that has gone viral on social media.

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‘Azad Kashmir’ refers to the part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir that legally belongs to India but is under Pakistani occupation since 1947.

And Mir’s remark comes at a time when cricketing relations between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have hit an all-time low following the Asia Cup, where the Indian team refused to shake the hands of their Pakistani opponents.

The tournament also ended on a controversial note with the Men in Blue refusing to accept the trophy and winners' medals from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, which resulted in a trophy-less post-match celebration.

Sana’s ‘Azad Kashmir’ remark leads to massive outrage online

Mir, who led Pakistani team between 2009 and 2017 and had been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame earlier this year, finds herself in an uncomfortable position thanks to her comment, which has led to several social media users calling for her to be removed from the commentary panel for the tournament.

Here are some reactions:

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The no-handshake policy between India and Pakistan, meanwhile, is set to be observed in the ICC Women's World Cup as well after the Asia Cup, with the two teams led by Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana locking horns at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, 5 October.

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