COLOMBO – A fresh controversy has emerged during the ICC Women’s World Cup after Pakistani commentator and former captain Sana Mir introduced batter Natalia Pervaiz as a player from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The remark came during Pakistan’s clash with Bangladesh in Colombo. Indian media outlets immediately reacted, with several anchors demanding disciplinary action against Mir for her statement.
Indian Media Reacts Strongly
The mention of Azad Kashmir quickly went viral across Indian news channels. Many anchors accused Mir of “politicising” cricket and urged the ICC to step in. For them, the reference to Azad Kashmir was treated as a highly sensitive and explosive moment.
Natalia Pervaiz’s Background
Natalia Pervaiz, a skilled Pakistani batter, hails from the Bandala Valley in Bhimber district, Azad Kashmir. She has represented Pakistan in international matches, proudly carrying her regional identity.
According to Mir, her only intention was to shed light on Pervaiz’s inspiring journey and the challenges she overcame to reach international cricket.
Sana Mir Responds to Backlash
In response to the controversy, Sana Mir released a statement on X (formerly Twitter). She clarified that commentary often includes details about players’ home regions to highlight their stories.
“My comment was aimed at showing the journey and difficulties of the player. It should not be given a political colour,” she said. Mir added that it was “sad” to even justify such a routine practice.
Online Edits Add Fuel
After the uproar, a cricket website that had originally listed Natalia Pervaiz as a player from Azad Kashmir quietly removed the reference. Mir later posted a screenshot showing the original entry, questioning why such edits were necessary under media pressure.
The sudden change further fueled debate, with many critics pointing out how sports and athletes are often dragged into geopolitical controversies.
In other news read more about Tensions and Expectations Ahead of India-Pakistan Women’s Match in Colombo
