Former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir has strongly criticized those targeting the Pakistan women’s cricket team following its exit from the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, particularly over gender-based remarks.
Sharing a video on social media platform X, Sana Mir expressed her frustration over the language and attitude directed at the women’s team. She acknowledged that the side had failed to meet expectations but stressed that it had taken years to convince people that Pakistani women possess the talent to compete at the highest level.
She pointed out that the women’s team has produced several memorable upsets, won important matches in major tournaments, claimed series victories, and consistently delivered strong performances under challenging conditions.
Sana Mir said she has always raised concerns about infrastructure, player contracts, and the domestic cricket system, and will continue to do so. However, she emphasized that changing society’s mindset towards women cricketers is just as important.
She said she was deeply hurt by the kind of language used against female players, questioning why people are so eager to destroy their confidence. Unless this mindset changes, she said, Pakistan will struggle to achieve greater success in women’s cricket.
Highlighting the double standards, Sana Mir asked whether the Pakistan men’s team had never lost a World Cup or endured poor performances. She also questioned whether any female cricketer had ever mocked a male cricketer by saying he belonged in a bakery making bread instead of playing cricket.
She added that there is a proper way to criticize athletes, reminding people that women cricketers represent the country, are skilled professionals, and have already proven their abilities on the international stage.
Sana Mir also condemned the creation and circulation of AI-generated videos targeting female cricketers, saying such actions suppress and discourage women. She urged the public to continue criticizing the team when necessary, but to ensure that criticism is constructive and aimed at improvement rather than humiliation.
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