The controversy surrounding Mir’s commentary is a textbook example of blowing a non-issue out of proportion. While describing player Natalia Pervaiz’s background, Mir mentioned that she “comes from Kashmir”, before clarifying “Azad Kashmir”. Mir later said she was not looking to stoke any controversy and simply wanted to highlight the player’s journey and the challenges she faced. Mir also said she was using the player’s page on ESPN Cricinfo for her stats, including her birthplace.
The haste with which ESPN Cricinfo changed Azad Kashmir to Pakistan-administered Kashmir is also a reflection of the outsized influence of India not just on the sport, but on coverage of the sport as well. The term itself should not be a problem. Many international news outlets reject both Pakistan’s and India’s chosen names for areas considered part of the Kashmir dispute.
The problem is that pages for Natalia Pervaiz and other AJK-born players referred to the region as AJK for decades without incident. It was only when some loudmouth nationalists raised a fuss on social media that a change was made. If the website does not either revert the change or quickly update references to Indian-Occupied Kashmir to Jammu and Kashmir state, the PCB should consider withdrawing the website’s press credentials and other coverage permissions.
Meanwhile, Indian sports administrators should either grow a spine and refuse to play Pakistan if they are so offended by our players’ presence, or admit they are just putting on a show, because in reality, they value tournament revenue over national pride.