A fresh controversy has emerged at the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, and this time it’s not about the action on the pitch. Instead, it started in the commentary box. Former Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir has drawn attention after she mentioned “Natalia Parvez hails from Azad Kashmir” while commentating during Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh.
What happened during the women’s ODI World Cup match between Pakistan and Bangladesh
The incident took place on Thursday during the league stage match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. While Pakistan batter Natalia Pervaiz was on the crease, Sana Mir, who was in the commentary box, mentioned that the player hails from “Azad Kashmir.”
The words quickly drew reactions on social media, particularly from Indian fans, as the region of Kashmir has long been a politically sensitive and disputed territory between India and Pakistan. Many argued that the usage of “Azad Kashmir” during an international broadcast was inappropriate.
Why did it become controversial?
The term “Azad Kashmir” is used in Pakistan to describe the Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir. However, in India, they referred to it as “Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).” This difference in terminology and mindset has always been sensitive for both countries, and even a small mention of it on an international stage can cause strong reactions.
Social Media Outrage
Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook were flooded with reactions after the remark. Most of the Indian fans expressed anger and accused Sana Mir of making a political statement; several Pakistani users defended her, saying that she only used the name commonly spoken in Pakistan.
Some even praised Sana Mir for standing firm and not bowing down to online pressure. The debate quickly became one of the top trending topics around the match.
Link to Recent Asia Cup Controversy
This is not the first time India and Pakistan cricketing ties have spilled into controversy. Just weeks ago, during the Asia Cup 2025, Indian players were criticised for not shaking hands after matches. There were also political statements made off the field that further fueled tensions between the respective cricket boards of both countries
Read more: Pakistan’s Asia Cup Loss Sparks PCB Crackdown with NOCs Suspensions
Sana Mir’s Response
Despite the criticism, Sana Mir stood by her words while commentating during the women’s ODI World Cup. Taking to social media, she explained that she did not mean to offend or hurt anyone’s sentiments. “It is part of the storytelling we do as commentators…,” she wrote, adding that her remark was simply a reflection of where the player comes from. She also shared the screenshot from the renowned sports website ESPNcricinfo, where the Birthplace of the player was mentioned just as Sana Mir narrated through commentary.
The former captain refused to apologise, stressing that her intention was not political. She underlined that as a commentator, her role is to highlight stories of players and their backgrounds, and that was exactly what she was doing.
More Than Just Words
Sana Mir is not only a commentator but also one of Pakistan’s most respected former cricketers. She captained the national women’s team for several years and has been a role model for young players across South Asia.
Her refusal to back down from her comment reflects both her confidence and her belief that sports commentary should focus on players’ journeys rather than politics. However, given the sensitivities between India and Pakistan, even a single phrase can spark big debates.
Read more: Pakistan Cricket Board Announces First-Ever Domestic Contracts for Women Cricketers
Final Thoughts
While the debate is likely to continue online, Sana Mir has drawn a line; she stands by her words and insists that she meant no offence. For her, the focus remains on cricket and commentary.
