Sana Mir Condemns Gender-Based Criticism of Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team

Islamabad: Former Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir has strongly criticized those targeting the national women’s team with gender-based remarks following its failure to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

In a video shared on her X account, Sana Mir expressed disappointment over the language and attitude used against women cricketers, urging fans to criticize performances constructively rather than attack players on the basis of gender.

She acknowledged that the Pakistan women’s team had not lived up to expectations but reminded critics that it had taken years to convince people that Pakistani women possess the talent to compete at the highest level.

“We have won important matches in major tournaments, claimed victories in international series, and proved ourselves in different playing conditions,” she said.

Mir added that while she has consistently raised concerns about infrastructure, player contracts, and the domestic cricket system—and will continue to do so—the mindset towards women athletes must change before meaningful progress can be achieved.

She said she was deeply hurt by the manner in which women cricketers were being discussed, arguing that such criticism damages players’ confidence and discourages future talent.

Questioning the double standards applied to women’s cricket, Mir asked whether Pakistan’s men’s team had never lost a World Cup or experienced poor performances. She also noted that no female cricketer had ever responded to male players with derogatory comments suggesting they should abandon cricket for traditional household roles.

“There is a respectful way to express criticism,” she said. “These women represent your country. They are your fellow cricketers, they are intelligent, capable, and have already proven their abilities.”

Sana Mir also condemned the creation and circulation of AI-generated videos targeting female players, saying such actions spread misinformation and contribute to an unhealthy environment for women in sports.

She concluded by urging the public to offer criticism aimed at improvement rather than humiliation, stressing that changing public attitudes is essential for the growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan.