The simple answer, of course, is that Pakistan's players should be allowed to speak in whatever language they wish. Inzamam, for example, enjoys jousting in English at press conferences, and he fully understands the questions put to him. One of the pleasures for journalists at a Pakistani press conference is Inzamam's considered pause after a question is put to him, a pause that is often followed by dead-pan humour. His vice-captain, Younis Khan, is as bubbly with his English as he is on the field.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, then, has created a solution to a problem it didn't really have and brought further controversy upon its head. And it is perhaps its head who this edict should apply to? Dr Nasim Ashraf has caused more problems with his utterances in English than his players ever have, and, yes, he probably does do a disservice to Pakistani tourism. He possibly also argues that he spends more time touring with the national team than back home in Pakistan so that he can do his bit for the Pakistan Tourist Board? I reckon Dr Ashraf should worry less about tourism and more about human development in Pakistan, his other job, which, if he makes a success, will do more for tourism than any cricket press conference.

Ultimately, though, bakwas is bakwas in Urdu or English--and there's enough of it emanating from the Pakistani camp to say: "Stop these trivial pursuits and start focusing on what really matters--like winning the World Cup."

Right on Kamran. No one knows it better than Pakistani cricketers on how to invite unnecessary and usually embarassing attention. Linking speaking Urdu during WC to promoting tourism in Pakistan is an idea known only to a few brilliant minds. I hope the next attempt would be playing in dhoti to further promote the freedom and nature of rural Pakistan. I just wish there was a mute button in real life.

Very good article, valid points raised throughout. Couldnt agree more my friend. I originally laughed when I read that Pakistan team will only be speaking in Urdu.

WOW. Urdu speaking and bearded ( close resemblance to Taliban) ambassadors of tourism for Pakistan. Impressed by these ambassadors, all Western nation tourists would love to go to Pakistan as tourists especially British,Americans and Australians would love the idea of a vacation in Pakistan especially in Wazirastan,NWFP,Karachi etc etc.It would surely be a pleasure to visit such peaceful areas with so many friendly gun-toting welcoming courteous hosts;).Its a brilliant advertising move from the tourism board which seems to compliment the samrtness of PCB.

YAAAR! Kamran Sahab...u nailed it! Bilkul Sahih! i mean..these guys r goin crazy..its very clear that the PCB is crazy, they're just ruining pakistans image and makin them a further laughing stock!
as for urdu being used...well, there's no shame in using Urdu if u cant speak english, better than warbling in english...i mean, ronaldo or ronaldinho dont speak english do they? SO WHAT!! just use a translator...the prob with the PCB is they cant convey the TRUTH! the TRUTH dammit! by makin stupid excuses they put further shame on themselves...
hows bout : 'players who cant speak english will be provided with a translator, for clarity'
how bout : 'Shoaib and Asif, at the risk of being convicted for the same crime twice, have not been tested and any players not tested CANNOT go to the World Cup'

how bout the BL**DY TRUTH! ohh...these guys really pi** me off...all this petty crap just adds to the teams worries and takes there mind off!!
THANK you so much for this post...i seriously feel like venting my frustration!

Sorry Kamran this is little out of context and current discussion, but I must sound the warning bells.........

Alright guys ! Ireland captain , David Trent Johnston , has just declared after their nail biting tie against Zimbabwe that they are looking forward to give Pakistan a “hell” of a day on Saturday.

My plea to our paper tigers is to get their act together, pull up their socks and offer even Tahajad on Saturday morning for some divine intervention.
This Irish team is smelling blood and seems to hell bent upon (after listening to their post match comments) to hunt our tigers down, and send them on a return trip back to hell (pleaase read Pakistan) , before the tigers can even roar.

Alright that was a jest !

On a more serious note, Pakistan should simply put themselves into Bat first, given they win the toss and let the batsmen rebuild some confidence after the last game.

Cheers !!!!!!

We live in 2oth Century, we should be opening ourself to other not isolating us. It's is an insult to Pak player and a Joke..I guess it's all done so PJ Mir can have some spotlight...

I don't understand why media is making such a big deal out of this. "What is wrong in speaking Urdu?" I am a Pathan, I am proud to speak in Urdu. Eventhough, my accent is butt of jocks among friends.

Couldn't agree with you more Kamran.... These people at PCB have proven to be the worst managers ever .... they simply can't do anything right!!

hehehehe......wait a sec... they are on to somehting....after the press conference in urdu i drove by the pakistani embassy in D.C...there is a long line of feyrungee's waiting to get visas to Pakistan. Brilliant!

well Kamran ..... the only thing this restriction tells us is that PCB as ever is more focused on non issues.... if one can not speak English fluently is not guilty of murder or anything... shouldnt be embarrased at the first place and on top of that you lose the game ... it was slow and painful death for supporters.. but it was good i can go out in the street and from day1 of world cup can meet supporter of any country and say no Pakistan has no chance.. i like most others have lost any hope... the matter is not about loosing a game its about wanting to win and except shoaib malik no other player looked like wanting.. thats sad..
now PCB should forget this worldcup... no non sense on non issues.. when guys land in Pakistan ... give malik captaicny for the team and build a team of professionals who want to go out there and win and we dont want any stars in the team but players
Sohail UK

So true. You are absolutely spot on when you say "Stop these trivial pursuits and start focusing on what really matters--like winning the World Cup"

hahaha great article well done kamran .

This is one of the few articles from a Pakistani which was not biased.

Wonderful article, Kamran, Sahib. Thank you!
Rajan

What can i say, PCB is just hilarious!! My dog understands better that speaking in Urdu wouldn't promote tourism. Like when I first read this thing about speaking Urdu to promote tourism, I laughed my butt off... and every time I read it again and again, I still laugh my butt off... come on PCB, are u serious???

It seems the PCB and the Pak team have a big target on them. Pakistani journalists, television commentators, and the not so politically correct Australian media always seem to find a way to have a dig at the Pakistanis. Kamran and company - I am sick of it! I don't think my comments will have any affect on the non-Pakistani scribes, but to those like Kamran Abbassi, I urge you to focus on the positives rather than the negatives - it really is getting old. We fans want to feel better about our team and the sport we love so much. There is too much negativity around, and you certainly don't need to promote it through this vehicle. Right now, it is people like you that look silly in your arm chairs waiting for the Monday papers.

Farhan Aziz
California, USA.

First of all, Mr Kamran should get his cartoony picture replaced from the site. And, Secondly, Instead of being a typical critic about everything and supporting the Western Lobby he should realize that players might be able to express themselves better in Urdu rather than English.

Sometimes an individual who has been brought up speaking his or her natural mother tongue tends to translate that language into another. Same being the case for Pakistani players.. they think in Urdu and then translate it into English.. and as far as we are aware it is hard work doing so. I gave my GCSE Urdu in Pakistan and I could not figure out how to translate a few Urdu words into English.

Kamran should realize a few facts before writing something. And he should refrain from using weird terminologies like 'bakwas'. To think of it, since the day cricinfo has been made the only thing that seems 'bakwas' to me and my friends is what Kamran writes. One illetrate meaningless person who gets his words out of a dictionary and a thesaurus.

As far as I am concerned what he is saying is totally and completely 'bakwas' :)

Kamran I can't agree with you more, bakwas is bakwas may that be in Urdu or English. Dr. Ashraf has caused more damage to the PCB in his tenure than any other supremo before. Since he has taken over from the diplomat, he has further weaken the organization. Not one decision he has taken speaks of sensibility. When I think of Dr. Ashraf only one thing comes to my mind in both English and Urdu "Moron"......please someone help Dr. Ashraf look it up in English to Urdu dictionary....

Haha crazy stuff... that's all I have to say lol

LOL!! I love the title - "Bakwas is bakwas in Urdu or English"... and unfortunately PCB is full of it

hahahaha! this is so true. i was wondering the same thing, how is inzamam speaking urdu going to attract them to visit pakistan? it truly is mind boggling. PCB is a trash, why cant our management just focus on winning?

Kamran Sahib; you go! I would have to rate this one with some of your best. Very well written. I agree with your analysis. I would not have a problem with the Pakistan team allowing its players their comfort zone of speaking in Urdu. However, the pretext used by the PCB (prized collection of bufoons) is indicative of the stupidity of the folks at the helm. AMF!

Rightly said, I believe that it is racist to tell a team to not speak in their language.

Kia Bukwas chul rahi hai ya... Looks like we have gone to West Indies to play a Muhulla Tournament. No planning at all. I guess Inzi's Shirt logo right predicts the situation; EAT SLEEP GYM

pcb - go jump in the river u clowns. heres a question: is the ire/zim draw good or bad for pakistan? i mean theyve both got 1 point now and pak is on 0. if ire/zim had won then one of those teams would be on zero points with us as well. you know, part of me wants us to be knocked out on saturday once and for all...

I N C R E D I B L E.!!!

So many bizzare things have happened in Pakistan
cricket over the last one year, that one can
now expect anything.Nothing surprises anymore.
CRICKET is run by an Ad-Hoc Committee (answerable to no one) and it seems they are going overboard
to make a fool of themselves. The world is laughing and perhaps even enjoying it.

What N E X T? Only heaven knows.!!!

I totally agree with you. The termoil the crciket teams already in cannot be solved by bringing up random issues which are not even significant. The Pakistani board has made this tour a freak show, first with the various and supposed injury pullouts, then with the doping scandal lurking the team, and now this stupid stupid issue about what language to use. Its freedom of speach guys, a concept most people fail to understand in out part of the world. They can speak in whatever language they feel comfortable in !

Remember also that international and even more so inter-racial contests sells. Cricketers from Pakistan playing cricketers from Australia is all well and good, but make it white versus Asian, Christian versus Muslim, and the blood boils with emotion, but it is the pocket which spills over in the fervour to get tickets. Being a West Indian i can't help but point out these subtleties.

NASEEM ASHRAF = NONSENSICAL ASS ...........

PLEASE GOD save us from Musharraf and his sycophants !!

everybody knows this is a stupid dissicion from PCB , not to speak english , player should allow to speak any languagge he wants , and if he cant speak english its not a big deal , urdu is our language and we are proud of that . look in other way real madrid is a popular football club in the world and one time in the team only david bekham was the only player who could speak english and rest of the players give interview in there own language . dont make a big deal out of it , the point is performance not who speak wat language.

Good one Kamran. First one of your articles that i truly support and agree with.
PCB is dumb shit, bunch of nobodies, some losers trying to be in the touring party when they as players were not capable of even playing first class cricket. Why is PJ MIR in the squad. What selection criteria is given for all these LOSERS who end up with the team. Who end up staying at places like the Ritz Carlton which is WAYYYYYY out of their league.

PCB is making an issue of a totally random thing. We dont care what they speak. We dont care if they speak at all. All we care is for our team to perform and show some courage and determination on the field.

I am sure Nasim Ashraf is with the squad again. Doing basically nothing and enjoying the white beaches.

Our cricket is in dire straits. And apparently no one really cares.

well said, its so true

Kamran sahib,

You're so right. For example, if you wrote this article in Urdu it would still be complete bakwas.
You should try to have a point before you start writing. The people at PCB are probably related to you anyway.

I don’t know wat the heck Pakistani cricket board is thinking, they are going to promote tourism via speaking Urdu. Come on now even a child in democratic societies understands English, Urdu is just a language of Pakistanis, people from America wouldn't understand it, now a day’s wat people don’t get it, they don’t bother with it. And some idiots in board think they can promote tourism first by humiliating people who don’t understand Urdu and then be rude to ask them come to Pakistan, that’s the worse plan ever to promote tourism. Tourism can’t be promoted by speaking in your own language, now a day’s even all nations tourism industry works in English because it’s an international language. The main points PCB should be focusing on are the performance of the team, their unity and their game as a team. They should promote the idea of team effort not individual and self-centered characterless players to win a match for them and screw the team in the world cup. They should be focus on major issues and should not be concern with the language barriers and they should keep in mind respect is an ultimate currency to promote tourism. The respect can only be gained by promoting things or debating in the language which is understood by most on the globe.
Pakistanis are much open people and this statement of cricket board is totally self-centered, discriminating, and harsh to destroy their reputation though out the world. Its more likely seems to me they want to suppress the fact the team is in bad shape rather to oppress the world in opposite directions. There are limits man, first Shoaib and Asif drugs case put the team down and now PCB is coming with new changes on daily bases. Why don’t they let the team be as a team who can represent Pakistan globally in respective manners to global communities? They don’t represent Pakistan here only, they represent Muslims too.
IN Fact BAwas Is Bawas whatever language it is been dilivered in.

Kamran let me add to your gem of a comment…….

“player chosen for the press conference grilling should have a shave, put on his coolest shades, an Hawaiian shirt, and a pair of shorts and flip-flops”………………………………….

only if that can be accompanied by one of those Cheer Leaders from Jamaica with the Pom Poms in her hands, standing along with Inzi with the above mentioned outfit.

Now that would be a true service to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corportation.

……….hahaha

Kamran, nice to see that you can write a better article than you could ever play cricket. Only joking, but I do agree with you, well almost, when you say to 'concentrate on what really matters and that is to win the world cup.' Come on Pakistan aren't going to win are they.

PCB officials have a habit of picking small issues and blow them up in the media, In other words
"LOOK BUSY DO NOTHING CREATE CONFUSION AND LEAVE"

Right now whether the players speak Urdu, Punjabi
or English who cares,the only language which matters right now is the language of Cricket.

Can any body tell Mr Ashraf dont try to deviate the attention of people from cricket and the performance of our team,as it is not going to happen.He has created another issue which
will embarass our team,let them say what ever they want and in which ever language they want,the chinese, japanese,germans, italians,french their etheletes also speak broken english its not a big deal.
one thing is for sure that people of Pakistan would like to talk to PCB Officials In PUNJABI after the world cup (YOU ALL KNOW WHAT I MEAN).

ha ha ha ha
Only PCB can come up with these kinda funny (or stupid) excuses.. If any of the pak player can not speak in English, he should be given transletor.. whats to big deal ?? I feel bad for Inzamam and company..

Mann, since this stupid Naseem Ashraf have taken the charge, he has done things stupidier than any PCB head before. They way he dealt with our dope duo and instead of feeling embrassed he was like hostile at Speed's comments, what a shame. The way the team has been selected, look at Imran Nazir, was never given a chance in past four years, and is in the World Cup Team. And now this Urdu speaking crap, Cricket is an English game, and all the countries which play the game, have people who can speak and/or understand english. So speak English, whatever way you can. That can promote the tourism, like tourists will feel comfortable that the language they speak is not allien over there and they can communicate with the shoppers and people in English. Speak English to promote tourism.

well i must agree with kamran on this one but this is a known fact that our players are a media of attention not because of their game but because of the acts they do .....please somebody go an tell them that dude let the game do the talkin not u r mouth

The Pakistan team has long been the laughing stock of international cricket. But something altogether different has taken hold of late: these eleven clowns led by the Chief Jester, Naeem Ashraf, and abandoned bohemian, Shoaib Akhter, have engaged in comic behavior, hitherto unmathched in sheer depth. Now try saying that in Urdu.

This is so ludicrous, yet again the PCB manages to convince the whole world that it is a shoddy organisation. Concentrate on whats important chaps i.e. winning the world cup rather than trying to keep people in jobs by getting them to translate!! What a complete shambles. I hope Pakistan take the game against Ireland seriously and do the job professionally and prove to their fans that they can still be a force in this world cup.

Kamran, the Pakistani teams performance was unacceptable and pathetic. Why in the world Yousuf and Inzi slowed it down so much, why were they trying to take singles when there was a chance to run twos, what is going on with Akmal, how about the eratic Naved, What the _ _ _ _ ! Why is Younis not opening the game, he is there anyways
in the first over.. what do we do now, more disgrace, Even the Irish are threating us now, there were times when teams will piss in their pants to play against Pakistan.. Why are we falling and falling fast, doping charges, wife beatings.. Shahryar was crook but was politically correct most times, I think this guy Nasim Ashraf is smoking something.. Shoaib Asif, were art thou! LOL

My belly aches as I am having a laughing fit!...
do the authorities really mean it.?????

you hit the nail on the head about a bearded spokesman of Urdu at any press conference. For the world(read American and British), anybody with a turban/beard/speaking Urdu is a terrorist.

We should promote Urdu because Pakistani players speak urdu. Its not neccesary to speak english. We should proud ourselve that we are urdu speaking.

Seriously I can not understand you guys, all of you especially you Pakistanis. What is wrong with speaking in Urdu? If you are so embarrassed by your own language than that’s your problem, I agree that there could have been a better solution to this problem of misinterpretation but there is nothing wrong in promoting your own culture. Sitting in the comfort of your houses and pointing fingers at others is the easiest thing to do, tell me how many of you have done something to promote or improve Pakistan? I am proud of our language and national heroes and will stand behind them even more so during these hard times.

Dear Kamran:
I like your blog but sometimes you go a little off guard. This is supposed to be a Pakistan's blog. This blog is visited by several foreign visitors and I don't appreciate the fact that my dear homeland is humiliated in any way. If you have to say something to the board write an article in the daily Newspapers of Pakistan or write the board directly and point out their mistakes. If you discuss any of your 'personal judgements' that are not so in favor of a real Pakistan's image, in your blog then how can I blame a few of the foreigners around the world who read and comment in your bog? Did you notice what your statements about the "bearded players talking in some Eastern tongue" prompted Mr.Pathetic Roger Bond to further worsen the image of Pakistan by Pathetically commenting.." Urdu speaking and bearded ( close resemblance to Taliban) ambassadors of tourism for Pakistan. Impressed by these ambassadors, all Western nation tourists would love to go to Pakistan as tourists especially British,Americans and Australians would love the idea of a vacation in Pakistan especially in Wazirastan,NWFP,Karachi etc etc.It would surely be a pleasure to visit such peaceful areas with so many friendly gun-toting welcoming courteous hosts".... These stupid ignorants don't know Pakistan has taken a load of burden and paying the price in terms of internal disturbance, bloodshed, suicide bombaings
and terrorist activities just to let prevail peace and safety in the rest of the world. Its a huge topic and I don't want to go in details or else I would have made anyone lip tight who would spit Lava from his mouth against Pakistan.
Kamran! The only thing that I have noticed about PCB since Dr. Naseem Ashraf took over as the chairman that he brings out the details of totally irrevalent topics to the media that doen't make any sense and cause a huge embarassement to himself as well as the PCB and over all Pakistan. Do you remember what did he say soon he took over as chairman, about the Players devoted towards religion? " The Players should not be offering prayers on the ground after their practice" such an absurd statemet!! Even if he was so against the players praying on the ground then he should have lightly informed them in private. Why a public denouncement through media? To my understanding the reason of PCB's non-sense decisions and announcements plus their novice approach towards the senstive cricketing matters is nothing but Mr Chairman himself. Take my words for it sooner or later he will have to resign or terminated by the President. Good Luck Pakistan WC Would be ours InshaAllah.

Its not cricket or tourism , its just TALIBANISATION OF Cricket and Pakistani cricketers are overwhelmingly becoming or made cricket terrorists.

What a stupidity, even though English of Pakistani players is not something to rave about (except for some players who have played in county cricket) but this is the worst way to promote tourism. I think this will put-off tourists because image of Pakistan is no better than Iraq since the war began, in the Western media.

Hi!

I dont know why you are making such a big deal out of this Kamran bhai. The reason we were told they're speaking Urdu is because they were often misinterpreted by foreign press, as you have the fire incident when Kaneria said "it happens", but the reporters thought he said "it happens all the time back home". Therefore I understand that, because not many of the players speak fluent english, both the captain and vice captain have trouble expressing themselves in post match interviews at times. So as I see it, it was just a move from the PCB's side to ease the pressure off some of the less educated players so they have one less thing to worry about, since the world cup is such a big event.

Great article. If PCB is trying to use the team as promoters of tourism then they need to use "models" who don't look like someone straight out of "Best of Taliban" annual calendar. The message any foreigner may get is that Pakistanis are so backwards that they have not yet discovered a marvelous invention called a razor blade.

In the past 9 months PCB has put itself through one scandal after another. And because of that they have become a joke for the rest of world.
Like many Pakistani organizations, this organization is also run by bunch of incompetent people. I think many Pakistanis are sick and tired of such incomptent people. As always Kamran's article is to the point.

Great point Kamran.

I am scratching my head thinking ... after 60 years of independence all of a sudden someone decided, a day before the first game to BAN english and promote urdu because its our tourism promotion year !

Good timing for the announcement.

Pakistani players problem with speaking english isn't new and I have always wondered why PCB never spent any money on a few english classes for our players when thousands are spent on sending people back and forth for only medical treatment overseas ? This would indeed be a very productive investment .. anyone listening ?
It is not rocket science to realise that almost all the press conferences, post match, pre match comments etc are very similar in content .. why can't PCB at least train the players on a script when all comments are usually similar ?

Dr. Nasim Ashraf, the way he is handling the HR department of PCB including the players .. the road ahead for Pakistan Human Development is REALLY dim !

Well, given that the PCB sees fit to exculpate drugs cheats on the grounds that they are too thick to understand what a steroid is, it seems only consistent that they should consider the whole team too thick to answer questions in the international language of cricket. Heaven forfend they might actually a) hold players accountable for their actions, and b) give them the credit for knowing what they say. My goodness, what a concept!

Note for anyone planning to have a go at me: I do not think the Pakistan players are thick. Only the PCB.

Kamran,
First decent post from you in a long time. Your common sense is still functioning...although I can't say the same about cricketing sense...especially from your last few blogs.

I don't remember where I read this but I hear that after the gas leak which brought the Pakistani players out, some newspaper reported Danish Kaneria as saying "this always happens in our country" in English, even though he didn't actually mean to say the last three words...I'm not sure about the veracity of this though...

Hay Kamran first of all there should not be any problem to any one if we speak.Gora person cant speak a single word of Urdu but our player speak loads of english word.There is no shame if you have some problem then go to doctor and ask him you are a confused person.

Kamran, I am glad you wrote about this. Since I read this article, I was bothered that Pakistan adminstration took such a step. You are right on when you say that bearded men speaking in Urdu will not promote Pakistan positively. It is pathetic that the administration is trying to gain attention in ways it does not need to. They should focus on playing cricket and give players a peaceful, stressfree environment.

In uncertain Pakistani cricket one thing is certain, that is " PCB is full of shit". They decide everything all of the sudden and just implement it. If idea really was to promote tourism then they should have started their campaign at least right after South African series....
PCB screwed Pakistani image by scandals like Oval fiasco and dope testing and now think they can improve Pakistani image by use of Urdu which is going to provide more laugh stock to world. By the way how many cricketers can express themselves well even in Urdu???

Kamran,

I think your critical thoughts and opinion about the pakistan team speaking in urdu shows why journalists should be more educated & conduct in-depth research on specific issues before they speak their mind on a public forum.

Firstly, the only reason why the pakistani team are being influenced to speak in urdu, is because many pakistani either with excellent english or broken english, struggle to send their message accross, their emotion accross, and as you should know Mr. abassi many media outlet's pounce on these opportunities, and pakistani's are gaining negative feedback from not only cricket, but from reperesentative of the countries whom struggle to present to their real views/values/intent in english.

As for the comments relating to crickets facing up to interviews with beards. I'm not sure what indirect message you are trying to portary, but i am a proud muslim, and cricketers showing their faith at anytime is their right (especially when all muslims realise it is compulsory to have beards).

I think Kamran writes very well and this was the great article by him.PCB has always created more problems than solved it,but the use of URDU is the topper and hilarious.I have my own doubt how many of our pakistani players can speak proper Urdu!! We are going to miss all fun listneing to Inzamam speaking in English with deadpan face and in monotone.I simply love Inzamam when he speaks at press conferences,he adds colour to the cricket.

I do not think that there is something wrong in giving press conferences in the language that the nation speaks and so do the team. The dominance of English language is obvious in the twenty first century at the cost of many languages that have evolved in the subcontinent since ages but are gradually vanishing in the era of TV,radio and now internet. This is happening around the globe. And sooner or later we will see languages of the subcontinent spoken in "language Zoos" where Sindhi,Urdu, Punjabi,Hindi,Malyali, Telugu, Bengali, Kashmiri etc speaking rare individulas will be preserved. People, please rise up and discover Iqbal's Khudi in ourselves. In my opinion
every language and their dialect should be given the due respect and there is no harm in communicating in ones mother tongue. I think the nation should be also proud of its national language.

Anser Azim, Chicago

Kamran,

Normally, I tend to agree with much of what you say. But on this occasion, I must agree to disagree.

I don't see this as a "controversy" or "bakwas". Oftentimes, Pakistani cricketers do not come across all that in interviews - just managing bumbling and inarticulate answers to most questions.

Thats not a reflection on them personally - they're just not able to express themselves in English. So what. Let them express themselves in Urdu, and have the translator do the necessary.

This happens all the time in other sports without anyone batting an eyelid - why should you be so upset about it here? Take football for instance. Non-English-speaking players who play IN England, respond to interviews in their native tongues all the time - noone seems to mind.

Why are you so upset that Pakistani's are communicating in Urdu?

PS: granted, the "promoting tourism" angle is a little far-fetched. So what. Ignore it.

Pakistan is worldwide famous as a tourist (terrorist) atttraction since 9/11. All tourist/suicide bombers, aspiring tourist do visit pakistan as it is GHQ. I don't understand, Kamran why u making all these fuss about. By the way, how many Pak cricketers can speak english?? Look at Inzamam,Yousuf,Malik nahh it's better they speak in urdu, hopefully, they'll make some sense while speaking. Finally you guys should force Woolmer to speak in Urdu, the problem is he is planning in urdu and Inzy( & the team) are executing it in urdu, that's where the problem is....

How the hell does a language spoken at a press conference, which includes audience only from 16 countries can be counted as encouraging tourism.. This is the most insane thing ever to come out of PCB/s mouth ..... Its a sad thing that such a talented side is backed with ignorant monkeys.... no offence to the monkeys....

Knowing Dr. Ashraf as a neighbor in Silver Spring (just outside DC) prior to his joining forces with the Aziz/Musharaff regime, I would have been astonished to know that there was a likelihood that he would be PCB head. What qualifications? Ability to conduct dope testing? Close proximity to the Patron of the PCB, our little general? Expertise from nowhere that qualified him to be heading HR development in Pakistan? For Allah's sake, even his newly grown beard doesn't qualify him! Bring on a professional. That's what we need: Professionals to run cricket and the country, not pretenders and panderers.

- Babar

You've hit the nail on the head Dr. Sahab. I hope all you guys are as tired of Nasim's gymnastics as I am. This guy doesn't seem to make any sense what so ever. I don't even know how he's the head of our cricket board when he has no credentials what so ever. These generals are going a long way in imposing their illogical ideologies upon us. I don't know how getting your beloved relatives like PJ Mir and Ashraf in top posts will help any of our causes , from tourism to cricket. Is this also a part of our enlightened moderation?

i used to like PJ Mir. i thought he was an intelligent person. i guess was not only wrong about the team but also the intellectuals running around it.

im a die hard pak fan, and i was completeley rooting for ireland today, against ZIM. They've got fire, and will have a very jolly, drunk, loud crowd to support them. Keep in mind its ST PATRICKS DAY (big holiday for the Irish) on saturday. I do hope Pak bat's first so they can be free, and just post a killer score. If they try the 1st game strategy, it wont be a fun match, and very stressful. Imran nazir needs to be how Bray was today, and he is the only one who should have reckless license, everyone else needs to play smart. It would be heartbreaking to see Pak lose because the Irish are all charged up, with little talent, and end up winning. GO DARK GREEN!!!

All this is fun.... Anyway, Pakistan 4 points, West Indies - 6 Ireland 1 and Zimbabwe - 1 thats how it is going to end. All you can do is have fun with all this stuff now....

So now talking in urdu in front of the media is embarrising? Players are there to play good cricket and represent their country, not to learn or teach english!

Very Good Article !!! Very well written. As suggested its not a biased article towards harming PCB, but just informing them the reality. Really, who in the world thinks by speaking mother tongue more visitor will come. Also, there is nothing wrong in speaking whichever language you are comfortable with. But the mere fact that someone orders to speak in a particular language is dictatorship and nothing else. Anyways, I would rather want my team to concentrate on Cricket and not anything else surrounding it. Pakistan has a bigger task in their hand. Good job for atleast informing the world that not all live in pakistan are dictators...hahahaha

With the World Cup goin' on, there's so much to talk about it... And you take out time to write about the use of Urdu language in press-conferences?

All I will say is " The BCCP adimistrators or whoever thought up this idea is a $*@#*@ Idiot "
The ICC WOrld Cup is being beamed to millions if not billions of viewers across the world ( and not only to Pakistan ) English is the only International language understood - Urdu is NOT

Kamran, I am of Indian origin and follow Indian cricket team. But i also follow Pakistan cricket team. I am so glad that you have the guts to stand up against this nonsense. I wish the people of pakistan would unite togather and remove these uneducated fools who use politics to ruin cricket in Pakistan. I agree, decree's like these show pakistan in poor light throughout the cricketing world. In any case we asians are looked down upon and treated shabbily by the foreign ICC officials and non-asian teams. We have to make sure that we make all the right choices and show these Whitey's that we are intelligent people along with being immensely talented.

Another subject that i would like to address is the captaincy of Pakistan Team. I understand that being a non pakistani, my remarks would be severely criticized. But for all it is worth here it is. I believe that Inzimam is your best batsmen followed by Yousuf and Younis. But also believe that he is not your best choice for captain. Accept it or deal with it. In Younis you have a wonderful leader, and I mean it. He motivates the team by encouraging all player and uses his verbal communication skills at all times. In turn Inzimam does not possess those skills. At least that is my observation. Inzi should be in the team as a pure batsmen, but does not deserve the captaincy. Good luck Kamran and all the people of Pakistan for a good show at the World Cup.

with utmost respect
bryan

I dont agree with you on this regards, simply becuase you are looking at it in two terms , from a pur cricketing term this should have nothing to do with how and what language the playres speak or if they have beards or not.
Nick heidfield is the german formula 1 super star, he does have a beard as well. Half of the italian world cup winning team spoke in italian at their press conferences.
English is not pakistan's first language and there is nothing wrong with your players speaking it at an international event, its not embarrassing, if thats what it is for the nation then you should not conisder yourselves pakistanis at all.
World cup is an event where you represent pakistan, lets stop connecting everything to a spineless board's doing.

Excellent comment.

I am an Indian and proudly follow the Indian team. But I always watch Pakistan play as well, not just only against India.

Everyone in the world knows PCB's histrionics. It was a shame that Shoiab and Asif couldn't play. I do not know whether any drugs were still present in their system or not, but the love and respect they had from admirers is specially done n dusted.

The only player who stands out is Shoaib Malik. He is absolutely awesome and my favorite Pakistani player for the last 3-4 years.

All the best to you guys. May the best team win.

I think the most important thing is your performance not the language you speak so if Pakistan team plays well then that can also be a boost for the tourism but if your performance is not upto the mark then speaking URDU can't help you out. But I must add speaking Urdu is not as bad as Kamran thinks so.

By trying to promote Urdu on Ad Hoc basis Nasim Ashraf & Co are trying to under carpet their own cricketing blunders such as not being able to find reliable openers, what to do with nandrolone ETC. There is an old saying i.e. jub kawa hunns ke chaal chulta hay to upnee chaal bhool jata hay. Can someone tell Nasim Ashraf please don't do kayan kayan; hunns in the west don’t like it either.

As an Australian I feel you should have the right to speak in any language you wish. I really do not think that speaking your native tongue is being negative.

Cheers Mr. Abbasi. Only you could be so perceptive to point out PCB's amazing ability to provide a "solution to a problem that really did'nt exist" Well put. This could only happen in Pakistan.

This is absolutely disgusting. Mr. KAMRAN, listen and listen carefully: your following comment "the sight of bearded men" is absolutely unnecessary. You make it sound as if something is wrong with bearded men. Obviously you are referring to Inzi and Yousuf. As far as I know they are not only part of elite players in this cricket but as well some of the most respected players from Pakistan and from around the world of cricket. So all this controversy about racism and all: its people like you FROM PAKISTAN who make comments like which allows others to open their moment.

I always enjoyed your "pak spin" on cricinfo but after this I wont waste my reading what you have to say. This is more like "hatred spin"

Hi,as far as my opinion is concern the best solution for all these arguments to learn English and establish Pakistan reputation in front of the world not to say them in-directly that we are un-educated nation or what?
Please do not let our nation down with this kind of stupid ideas.....Thanks

I don't know what is the exact problem with PCB and team officials that why they do not come with real reasons and why they put forward wrong reasons for public. It is evident from the english speaking abilty of Inzy that he can't feel comfortable with it and that's why he's speaking in urdu than from where promoting tourism comes in the scene.
Another wrong reason was put forward by Bob Woolmer in his recent article that 13 was unlucky...i mean Bob can come with far better reasons to explain defeat.Same is the case with the reason for the removal of Shoiab and Asif. I don't think that anybody body doubt that they withdraw becasue of drug issue and fitness was only a wrong plea by PCB.

Im telling you Pervaiz Musharraf is the root of all problems. Dr Nasim Ashraf is his chamcha. Why cant we have a board like other countries? why does the chairman of the PCB has to be a political figure? why are ther no elections for the post? why has it to be picked by a dictator?
The whole system is screwed up and no doubt who is responsible for it, yes Musharraf

its funny than Asian countries can bicker about stuff like these which appear very "non-inclusive" and then go complain about racism with the rest of the world.. come on guys work on your self esteem!!
Only tourism the bear clad pak cricketers can promote is to a bunch of pilgrims.. you need to accept to be accepted

This current board is stunningly incompetent. Just when you thought they were out of the picture for a few weeks, they came up with this stupid regulation. Players should be allowed to speak to the press in a language of their choice - period. However, the PCB has once again created an issue out of this which has got to be distracting the team. Our board is completely unprofessional. How many other cricket boards have been in the news lately? This board has to go after the World Cup. We need to overhaul the team, the selection committee, the coaching staff and the ad hoc committee. And we need professionals both in the team and the board. Our current team and board do deserve each other.

The really tragedy is that the Pakistani fans will have to wait at least 4 more years to see a more competitive team. Our current team may make it to the second round but is clearly not in the right frame of mind to be competitive in this tournament.

We can't play Cricket well. Let's try speaking Urdu. May be, people of the world will like to visit our country to listen to our Urdu. Which province will they go? The Urdu province - oops! that is a geographic question, we are cricketers not Geography experts!

Its at a time like this, that Pakistanis need to stand up and deliver. They have a strong past of coming back from nowhere. That is the way they have played in the past and I am expecting them to come back hard.

Being a true Indian Cricket Fan, I extend my support and suggest the Pakistani team to regroup and focus on things with need immediate attention rather than paying any heed to what language they speak on or off the field. I have fond memories of Waqar and Wasim doing the "Howwwwwwwwzat ?" Which is pretty much the cricket language they need to know

you may deny the comments cause it comming out too nice but the point is that naseem asharaf and the fools making a damn fools out of us. Pakistanis speak english and they speak better eng than 1/2 of the eng speaking people cause i have lived in USA for the last 22 years of my 31 yrs of my life. so tell naseem or whoever that is to teach his american kids to speak and undersatand Iqbal's poetry before he goes to Danish or any one else to talk in Hinggggglish. Let him talk to the me and I will teach him some ENGLISH words from the streets. STUPID is he or shall i call him even a ....................

I don't know where this whole tourism thing came from. Actually I have been saying for some time now that the Pakistan team should speak in Urdu only.

The reason is simple. They do not speak English well, and therefore they are often unable to express themselves clearly. They sometimes come across as naive or even rude.

There is absolutely no shame in not being able to speak English. I hope one day we overcome our colonial hangover. I have to say though that promoting tourism is a rather silly reason to speak Urdu.

In my worthless opinion the language of choice should really have been Punjabi rather than Urdu. The Q & A would really have been so much more fun.

I think players should be allowed to speak in any language they are comfortable with, even if it's not english. The linking of speaking Urdu to promoting tourism is hillarious though. No short of geniuses at the PCB!

MR. Abbasi sir I have great regard for you and think your doing a fantastic job with this blog of your. I must admit in not a big one for commenting on blogs but this last piece of yours ahs compelled me into lending support to your cause. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with all the points u have raised. This speak Urdu campaign is absurd and the PCB need not worry about tourism in Pakistan they should stick to there job and let the PTDC take care of the tourism. As for Dr. Ashraf well frankly I have no idea what he’s doing there in the first place. It’s pretty apparent he knows as much about cricket as a ordinary man on the street (it’s a different matter every Pakistani thinks he knows his cricket even thought they have no clue), anyway coming back to the topic at hand. I think the Pakistanis need to concentrate on there cricket. As for PJ Mir and the rest of the red tape in the PCB it’s not required. All it does is add to the expenditure and what’s worse the politics’ in the board. I say pull up your socks and get to the job at hand. It is absolutely disgraceful how much controversy our board has been involved in over the recent past and most of it has been self inflicted. Starting from the Oval test to the Waqar Younis issue then the doping and now this.

Well kamran, PCB is becoming jokers paradise, you wouldnt wonder if PCB orders Rameez, Amir, Imran, and so many pakistani commentators to switch on to urdu from english, that will attract tourism. PCB is Cricket Board not the tourism Board, beg them to look at improving the pakistan standard of play and become more competative rather than concentrating on the tourism, Inshah alaah World cup is in hands of pakistan.

What Pakistan team management decided is right. Why should we only have english as the language. There are far more people who understand urdu than english in pakistan (& other sub-continent countries). The players have to reach there fans rather than impressing there western friends.

by the way Roger bond comments are racists and insulting. does he mean, one having beard represents taliban?? wakeup man, improve your knowledge before commenting.

English is only a language, don't give more importance than it deserves.

what if few handfull western journalist don't understand urdu? its there problem, they either have to learn it or leave with it? What about so many die-hard fans of subcontinent who can't understand english?

Assalamoalaikum kamran, I have just seen five pakistani cricketers who could speak english well and those were Imran khan, wasim akram ,waqar younis,ramiz raja and saeed anwar, and their era has gone.I think pakistani cricketers learn cricket entering the national team and they could also take english classes because they are the representatives of pakistan and also they shouldn't see it as a language of FARANGIS but there are some positive ways to use this lanuage as well. As far as Dr naseem asraf's theory of urdu as a promoter of pakistan's tourism is concerned, this comes from no where. First he should understand cricket and leave tourism for tourism experts."" Don't ruin pakistan cricket Doctor""

Excuse me Mr. Kamran have u gone mad? I mean common u guys it’s really an embarrassing for the whole nation pls grow up now. aaaaaaaaah! Oh God Pls helps Pakistan. If some of our players cant speaks Eng it doesn’t mean that you start promoting tourism in this way its hilarious damn you man….

I am shocked that Pakistan coach says that South Africa team can win the WCC2007. He should be fired. How demolorizing for the fans and players.

Again Pakistan cricket and as a whole Pakistan Nation has been made laughing stock. From Oval to Shoab Asif saga really nation has been let down by the PCB managemant. Before getting the cricket on track we have to put the Mangement on track.

This is PCB's attempt to shift focus off the real issues in hand. So far we had confusions over how to bat, how to bowl & how to field...now the issue is how to talk, soon will we be debating over merits of wearing shalwar kameez & slippers on the field, then will come the debate of captain facing Qibla while the coin is flipped during toss, I wonder why are they not working on coercing Danish Kaneria to convert to Islam as well. Its a shame I have to mock upon my dear culture and religion, but I dont see slightest of reason to praise our cricket.
How very ridiculous it is when PCB thinks that speaking Urdu would encourage tourism. How in the world would someone who doesn't know the language feel welcome to visit a country who's sportsman (who are like ambassadors), at such a global event would speak in the language that only the 15 blessed Pakistani players can comprehend.
Anyways, I think this was a successful attempt to shift media's concentration away from Pakistan's dismal performance. I would strongly recommend players like Rana, Hafeez, Sami & Imran Nazir to soon start thinking about getting a full-time job with department of tourism, there they won't have to compete with their more professional Australian & South African counterparts. Last but not the least, a player like Inzamam who's stardome started from World Cup 92, would eclipse in utter darkness in World Cup 07.

Kamran, I have no idea where you got this info that PCB is requiring its players to speak in Urdu to promote tourism in Pakistan. I thought it was for the benefit of our players who can't speak proper English to convey more easily in Urdu without screwing up the answer.
ICC just announced that players can speak in English on the playing field and can speak in Urdu outside of the playing field, such as in conferences. So its not a big deal as you have sounded with your bakwas!

PCB made people laugh on them selves

pakistan is a good team.but at the moment thay are not playing well.thay will come back soon in thay are game.thay need 1 good match and thay will be back.that what i beleive.anyway i love pakistan how ever thay play.good or bad. i love tham.

Mr. Abbasi
ICC is drug testing two top bowlers of Pakistan and are calling it random selection. It is of course fine to test players or even target the players for testing but then they should not call it random selection. I find it difficult to comprehend that the top two fast bowlers of pakistan team were randomly selected for drug tests. It is too much of a coincidence to believe it.
Regards,
Rashid Khan
New York

Well, we all know that this is a big excuse PCB has gifted to Pakistani Players as they are, Masha Allah, very good when it comes to speaking in ENGLISH. Someone should show this article to General Perwez Musharraf, as I remember him saying that Pakistanis speak very good english.

i can speak in english i guess/
bismmilah ir rehman ir rahim\
first thank to allah
nahi ye k... this boy is kamran is good boy. inshallah he did post more article and I not is speak in urdu. I is can is speak english very good. thank to allah for me is speak english very well. the whole team is good boy

PCB is typical of a desi mentality, this is holding our country back, and it obviously isnt doing wonders for the cricket team!!
When will these fools realize that??

Speak whatever language you want to but please get us the "World Cup", that is more important than the language you speak ??? These non related issues will add nothing at this crucial juncture when the team needs to be fully focused on their major task !! When you win the World Cup that will automatically bring the tourism to your country not the language you speak. So lets bring the real tourisum to our country by winning the "World Cup" ??? Looks like in this situation this is the only way to explain & motivate....

Good post Kamran.

I dont understand why the insistence on Urdu technically the PCB should have forced the team to speak in Punjabi, since that is a bit more shall we say native to the players,,, smile.

Roger Bond:
I dont know what kind of road kill you eat before you write on this Blog, but dude everybody know you are a lowly racist completely representaive of your country and culture, This is a civilized forum for cricket lovers.This forum
does not need your Idiotic comments.

ha hahahahahahaha. what a pity.
Best was the reason given by PCB was an excellent excuse. Pakistan being a house for terriost only insane person will go for tourism.

Well Kamran I like your articles, but this one is horrible. Crickters are supposed to play,not to master english or some other language. And many famous players of different sporst speak there native language. So whats wrong if pakistani players speak in Urdu. I guess you should focus on their game rather than language. I agree with you that promoting Tourism in pakistan has nothing to do with Urdu.

First of all, Roger "Bond", the Taliban don't speak Urdu, they speak Pashto. Although I think the whole idea is silly...and why are Pakistan worried about what language they're speaking? The language of cricket is universal, and Pakistan should maybe communicate better among themselves, they can sometimes look uninspired as a team.

This latest series of controversies seem to be taking focus away from the issue, finding a combination that does well in the world cup. Dr. Ashraf seems to poke his nose into every possible scenario, according to dawn and the news, more than inspiration, he has been a source of panic and frustration for the team.
There is absolutely no reason for the chairman to mingle with the team and be involved in team meetings and things like that. As far as the lang. issue/non-issue is concerned, even suggesting that players only speak urdu and is one of the most absurd things i've heard in a long time, let the player decide what he feels comfortable in. Inzy may struggle with english, but he certainly gets the message across, which is what counts in the end.

Well the truth is out. Why do you think the Pakistani players were asked to speak in Urdu and not in English?? Because it will be known how good the Pakistani cricketers communicate in English. It would have caused tremendous embarrassment. Why even when they were interviewed in India they were asked questions only in Hindi/Urdu. Even Rameez prefers to put questions to Inzamam in Urdu. Another thing is that the tie means Pakistan to qualify to the next stage has to win both the games or else ???????

Fantastic article !! You could not have addressed the ludicrous decision taken by the PCB Chairman in a more appropriate manner. All I can say is Dr. Nasim Ashraf is a seriously confused man who needs to work out exactly what the job description of a PCB chief is. His job entails administrative duties and not promotion of tourism in Pakistan !!!!

Next thing you know, we shall have Shahid Afridi addressing the press conferences in Pushto to improve the image of the NWFP province and promote goodwil !! Or why not allow everyone to speak in their language of choice and carry a team of interpreters with us around on tours !! Maybve that's one way our PCB adnministrators can find additional job descriptions as an excuse for travelling around with the team !!

Naseem Ashraf !! You have ruined Pakistan cricket !! Alas, but its too late now ! Got to wait 4 more years for sucess !!!

Read and weep...from dawn.com

PCB chief’s presence in dressing room irks players

By Our Correspondent

KINGSTON, March 15: Pakistan’s impressive victory against the formidable South Africans in Cup warm-up game last week which raised the hopes of a revival of sorts in team camp, have been thwarted by the ungainly presence of PCB chief Nasim Ashraf here.

According to sources close to the team in Jamaica, things had begun to gradually fall in place last week with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Woolmer both looking confident about their team’s chances in the mega event.

Even on the day of the opening ceremony, things looked quite hunky dory and the players appeared composed and quietly confident of staging a comeback after a largely forgettable South African safari.

But with the unforeseen arrival of the over enthusiastic board chairman at the Montego Bay bash, Pakistan has clearly lost track. The pressure is suddenly telling on the players since Dr Ashraf insists on storming the team's dressing room besides forcing his way into the the team meetings.

The worst hit by this changing scenario is none other than captain Inzamam who has not had things going to plan because of uncalled for interference of the PCB chief who has a knack of throwing ‘overbearing’ suggestions at wrong times.

Pakistan seemed to have some sane planning when they successfully chased the 200-run target against South Africa in the warm-up match last week. From 31 in 17 overs, with just one wicket down, Pakistan managed to beat the Proteas by seven wickets. But all that planning seems to be going haywire now and there is clearly some panic setting in among the team players and the team management.

Al this has made the rather innocuous game against Ireland seeming like a challenge with thoughts of asking Kamran Akmal opening the innings instead of Imran Nazir and dropping Younis Khan down the order coming from the big chief himself.

On March 12, Pakistan team was made a laughing stock in the world media after they announced that all the players will address the press conferences in Urdu and not in English. It was like a step backward as not only Inzamam but some of the other players also expressed their reservations at media manager P.J.Mir’s absurd announcement. On Tuesday when the ICC came down hard on him, Mir realized the severity of the matter and started saying that he was misquoted.

The real story was that the ICC had in principle agreed with the Pakistan Cricket Board that all the post match celebrations held at the ground will be in English as it is broadcast around the globe and anything in the media center will be in Urdu.

While other teams are allowing two to three players to the media every day, to give them the best of exposures in terms of speaking and get some exposure, Pakistan has placed an unnecessary restriction on their players.

Amid all this chaos, the last thing Pakistan can afford is to lose to minnows Ireland in this World Cup but with Dr Ashraf shooting from his mouth, just anything can happen.

Now thats the kind of writing we all love :) (It also goes with the current mood of the pakistani people ... attack the higher ups).
Nasim Ashraf has brought nothing to pakistan cricket than confusion. One day mushy is not needed next day he is suitable for coaching fast bowlers as well. Younis khan is captain ... no he is not ... yes he is. Asif and shoaib are going to WI ... no they are going to England then WI ... no they are goin to Pakistan. And now the language issue. There are soooo many things going on off the field that even I as a spectator can not concentrate on whats going on the field, I wonder what it would be like for the players.

I couldn't agree with you more Kamran.The way we have prepaired for this world cup, nothing will surprise me.When Inzi was chosen to lead us to the promised land, I knew, no way in the hell, we have any chance of winning anything, not alone "World Cup".When a person, who has destroyed all the norms of justice and fairness(Musharaf), is fully responsible for our cricket affairs, what do you think will happen to our beloved game???I won't be surprised, if we even won't make the Super Eight.

PCB "wana see ppl laugh" plz dont laugh so much bcoz more things have to come to laugh at. lolz

my my my... cant agree with u morr my friend.. i mean tourism by speaking urdu hahahahahahah

I absolutely agree with you Kamran on this occasion. My ultimate optimist dig at you notwithstanding you have hit the nail on the head this time around. Besides the problem of explaining cricketing shots in Urdu and having PJ Mir as interpreter I think this undermines Pakistani cricketers. It implies Pakistanis cannot converse in English which is not true. Wasim Akram , Waqar Younis, Imran and Shoaib Akhtar come to mind. Their English is much more than passable. I agree that Inzi is sometimes restricted by his vocabulary but that does not necessarily mean the other guys are the same. Some things might be lost in translation and this comes at a time when ICC is trying to globalise the game, people are just beginning to form an opinion about their new heroes. I would rather hear Younis or Inzi talk some nonsense than wait for PJ Mir to drop some pearls.

Kamran - You rock ! Dead straight on target.
Fodder for humor and entertainment.