A political firestorm has erupted over a comment made during the ICC Women’s World Cup, as former Pakistan captain Sana Mir faces intense backlash from India for mentioning that cricketer Tanalia Parvaiz is from Azad Kashmir, a remark critics are decrying as a politicization of the sport.

The controversy began during Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh when Mir, in her role as a commentator, identified Parvaiz’s home region. The reference ignited a swift and strong reaction in India, triggering a social media campaign that accused the celebrated former cricketer of using the commentary box for political purposes.

Responding to the uproar, Sana Mir released a statement expressing her disappointment with the situation. She explained that she found it unfortunate to be compelled to issue a public clarification over what she views as a standard part of her job. “As commentators, it is part of our role to share the stories of where players come from,” she stated, noting that she had mentioned two other regions during the broadcast as well.

In her defense, Mir insisted that her intention was purely to celebrate the athletes and their unique paths to the international stage. “This should not be given a political color,” she urged, adding, ‘It is sad that things are being exaggerated unnecessarily.’ The former captain highlighted the immense strain already on sports professionals without such added controversies.

Mir further clarified that referencing a player’s hometown was meant only to illuminate their background and the personal struggles they may have overcome. She maintained that the comment was never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments but rather to provide inspirational context for the audience.