The remark, made during Pakistan’s clash with Bangladesh in Colombo, quickly went viral and sparked outrage across Indian media outlets. Several anchors accused Mir of “politicising cricket” and demanded disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

While highlighting player profiles, Mir introduced Natalia Pervaiz by acknowledging her roots in Azad Kashmir’s Bhimber district. The mention was a routine acknowledgment of a player’s background, yet it was seized upon by Indian broadcasters and turned into a heated political debate.

As the criticism grew, Sana Mir issued a statement on X, expressing dismay over the controversy.

“My comment was meant to highlight the journey of a player and the challenges she overcame. Mentioning a player’s home region is part of storytelling in commentary. It is disappointing to see everything given a political colour,” she wrote.

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Adding fuel to the debate, a cricket website quietly removed the reference to Azad Kashmir in Pervaiz’s profile after the backlash. Mir shared a screenshot of the original listing, pointing out how sports are often dragged into geopolitical disputes.

Notably, Natalia Pervaiz, hails from the Bandala Valley, has represented Pakistan internationally and is seen as an inspiring figure for young cricketers from remote regions.