Babar Azam - the lack of English debate

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Even when he speaks in Urdu he only uses cliched quotes and phrases, doesn't express himself well.

I guess Punjabi is his first language, but we can't be interviewing him in Punjabi during global events.

The problem isn’t Punjabi or Urdu (and to be honest even English).

The problem is that like majority of our cricketers he is not an articulate guy and cannot put his thoughts into well constructed sentences regardless of the language being used.

He was earmarked to be a batting stalwart since he was 14 so it really speaks volumes for the lack of long term planning and Babar’s own lack of ambition that he didn’t brother to groom himself.

Wasim Akram couldn’t speak a lick on English when he made his debut and now he commentates. But again that comes back to being articulate which babar isn’t in any language.

 

[oatmeal]

Babar wont be judged by his english speaking skills, only his performance on the field. However there is no denying that good english speaking ability is useful for interviews and post match conferences. PCB should employ soft skills and communication coaches to groom cricketers.

 

[rockyboy2018]

It would be very awkward for Matthews to communicate with Babar in English. I mean, we do not know who is going to make plans against each player of an opposition team and what would be the game strategy like. Maybe Professor. Hafeez can bridge this gap as he can speak perfect Punjabi -- the mother tongue of Babar. Really but if it was any other player this translator option works but with the skipper of the team...sounds awkward....I don't know what these Pakistani players do in their free time....

 

[NishanKonar]

Don't know why people are obsessed with Babar's english skills. It should be the last of your concerns

1 thing I like about India's Olympic heroes - they dont even bother about it. They just speak in Hindi. There is famous video where Neeraj Chopra asks a journo to stop asking in english and talk to him in Hindi. Whole of India applauded him

Babar should do the same

 

[prakash]

It would be very awkward for Matthews to communicate with Babar in English.

I wonder how players communicate in IPL. It is a mishmash of players from different countries. Many Indian players don't speak/understand English. For example, how does Mustafiz communicate with Buttler or Archer? Deepak Chahar speaks only Hindi, how does he communicate with Faf or Fleming? Every IPL team has this issue. As long as you know broken English like Babar, you can definitely survive but as a skipper in media briefings he needs some command over English.

 

[NishanKonar]

I wonder how players communicate in IPL. It is a mishmash of players from different countries. Many Indian players don't speak/understand English. For example, how does Mustafiz communicate with Buttler or Archer? Deepak Chahar speaks only Hindi, how does he communicate with Faf or Fleming? Every IPL team has this issue. As long as you know broken English like Babar, you can definitely survive but as a skipper in media briefings he needs some command over English.

The ones who know english and hindi act as translators. To be honest most Indian players understand basic English - its mandatory in school in India even in vernacular schools

Issue is foreeign players - Mustafizur had to get a Bengali translaotr when he joined IPL few years back

 

[Yati]

Why does he need to speak English. Does knowing English give him superiority over others. Knowing English should be his last concern. We as people just looking to have arguments over anything. Some people acting like Knowing English makes you more educated.

 

[ExpressPacer]

From what I have observed, people don't give any importance to whether a sportsperson can or cannot speak English. In fact, they actually respect those people more who speak their own language.

 

[Varun]

From what I have observed, people don't give any importance to whether a sportsperson can or cannot speak English. In fact, they actually respect those people more who speak their own language.

Tell that to Babar - who has kept a well spoken PR manager on his payroll, to manage his Twitter/Instagram profiles.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

From what I have observed, people don't give any importance to whether a sportsperson can or cannot speak English. In fact, they actually respect those people more who speak their own language.

If you read the posting rules on this forum, one of the rules is that the posting language has to be English. Why? Because most of us come from different language backgrounds e.g. Punjabi to Urdu to Afrikaans to Telugu etc.
Imagine some kid in south of India or Australia or England wants to know what’s the process of thinking when batting for Babar or Kohli.

Plus, why post on Instagram in big English words then?
English is a medium of communication in the world today. I use it when the other side does not have other common language eg Punjabi or Hindi In my case, and sometimes Spanish if someone is up to it.
In case of Babar he is connecting with global audience as captain and it will just take 6-8 months of effort to be confident in speaking from his end.
More fans to connect to.

 

[JattMaula]

If you read the posting rules on this forum, one of the rules is that the posting language has to be English. Why? Because most of us come from different language backgrounds e.g. Punjabi to Urdu to Afrikaans to Telugu etc.
Imagine some kid in south of India or Australia or England wants to know what’s the process of thinking when batting for Babar or Kohli.

Plus, why post on Instagram in big English words then?
English is a medium of communication in the world today. I use it when the other side does not have other common language eg Punjabi or Hindi In my case, and sometimes Spanish if someone is up to it.
In case of Babar he is connecting with global audience as captain and it will just take 6-8 months of effort to be confident in speaking from his end.
More fans to connect to.

I would be quite happy posting in many indian languages if PP allows it. But like cricket, PP too is English place started by English people.

 

[Snowflake]

Speaking English does not make one more impressive or superior to others. Let's make that clear. However, it does have its benefits.

English is a global language understood by many. The reason why the captain of a side should be proficient in the language is so that he can communicate with others on the global scale. Having an efficient spokesperson helps create and project a positive image of Pakistan.

On field, this captain can stand up for his players and speak for them.

Every team needs a spokesperson and you cannot be that if you are restricted to a globally not so well understood language.

 

[Snowflake]

Now an additional issue with Babar is that he's just not a good communicator, period... English or Urdu. Babar doesn't even communicate well when being spoke to in Urdu and sticks with extremely generic and rehearsed sentences that do not provide any value or insight.

 

[shamaan]

If you read the posting rules on this forum, one of the rules is that the posting language has to be English. Why? Because most of us come from different language backgrounds e.g. Punjabi to Urdu to Afrikaans to Telugu etc.
Imagine some kid in south of India or Australia or England wants to know what’s the process of thinking when batting for Babar or Kohli.

Plus, why post on Instagram in big English words then?
English is a medium of communication in the world today. I use it when the other side does not have other common language eg Punjabi or Hindi In my case, and sometimes Spanish if someone is up to it.
In case of Babar he is connecting with global audience as captain and it will just take 6-8 months of effort to be confident in speaking from his end.
More fans to connect to.

Maybe they should make a rule stating if you don't speak English you can't answer match presentation and the rest ?

 

[shamaan]

Aslong as Babar performs with the bat and can communicate with his players then it's fine

 

[shah_1]

English is very important for cricketers these days, when you have to communicate with coaches, opposition players and umpires. It is even for important for a captain.

PCB invest no time in teaching basic English to Pakistani cricketers

 

[MenInG]

Babar is the ambassador for Pakistan. When he talks in the open, people listen to him and get an impression of Pakistan.

If he feels hesitant then PCB should by rule always have a translator with him on calls or in person.

And for his own sake, I would spend maybe 2 hours a week working on his English.

Also in the ICC presser, the questions were sent in advance. PCB/ICC could have easily briefed him on every question and made him aware of what/how to say.

He was asked about the India game and he replied that Pakistan were used to UAE conditions - compare that answer to that of Kohli.

I have nothing but respect for someone who speaks his own language with confidence but misunderstanding questions/replying in broken incomprehensible English is not the way to do this.

 

[shah_1]

He played under foreign coaches, played with foreigners, played two season of T20 blast in UK yet he can't string a sentence together. Babar Azam simply makes no effort to learn this language. Poor effort.

 

[shah_1]

He played under foreign coaches, played with foreigners, played two season of T20 blast in UK yet he can't string a sentence together. Babar Azam simply makes no effort to learn this language. Poor effort.

Shadab Khan at least can express himself despite mistakes unlike Babar Azam.

 

[Saj]

Tell that to Babar - who has kept a well spoken PR manager on his payroll, to manage his Twitter/Instagram profiles.

Which sort of complicates things as people then think he can speak/write English very well.

 

[mastimasti]

Most of the Premier league players barely use English.

 

[Babeikh]

It doesn't really matter whether he speaks good English or not. If he doesn't speak good English and he doesn't want to learn then he should insist on speaking Urdu or Punjabi with a translator. Also more generally PCB needs to do some media training of our cricketers. They all have the same shallow, insightless stock responses to every question they are asked. No offence but i'm not really interested in whether you thank God or not etc, I just want to hear some insight about the game.

I will add though that he is a world class cricketer and as he plays more county cricket, CPL etc, his English should naturally improve. It will also benefit him personally if it does so he can build Babar Azam the brand.

 

[OMB]

Most of the Premier league players barely use English.

Most of the cricketers use English (being a game which spread colonially) so make sense for Babar to pick it up.
When the game goes to South America or Mexico or Spain, we might ask them to pickup spanish langauge or if BCCI still remains a powerhouse why not Hindi?

 

[sharmaji]

Pakistan never had articulate captains other than Imran Khan and Salman Butt. Look at Pakistan's former captains other than those two: Miandad, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Rashid Latif, Amir Sohail, Inzamam, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed., Azhar Ali None of them were articulate in English. So Babar doesn't need to live up to any gold standard set by former Pak captains.

I recently came to know that just like some are mathematically challenged, some people are linguistically challenged as well (in terms of say, learning a new language). Babar could be one of them. If that's the case, it is better to invest his time in batting/cricket than learning English.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Too lazy to learn basic English, fair enough but what takes the cake is when you get your Manager tweeting Shakespeare English.

 

[someone21]

English skills can be divided into listening and speaking.

And Babar represents the nation, and is one of the most influential people in the country. He needs to understand English in at least one of the two parts.

He could listen English properly, yet answer in Urdu. Many politicians also do the same thing, and it is an important message to the team, nation and the world.

 

[Markhor]

Forget the English for a second. I thought Azhar Ali was an inept and uninspiring captain but Babar seems set to give him a run for his money. Two years from his appointment and what progress can we speak about ?

It's absolutely comical seeing the PCB Social Media Department trying to hype him up as this generation's Imran Khan with their cringy photoshoots and YouTube features.

It's hard to create a Cult of Personality around somebody who doesn't have a personality.

He says nothing of substance in interviews. Instead he trots out the usual "I want to be an aggressive captain like Imran Khan" claptrap that I've heard from every Pakistani skipper in my lifetime. Even massively flawed captains like Misbah and Sarfraz had some discernible philosophy with Misbah favoured spin while Sarfraz reoriented the team back to pace and all-rounders - what's Babar's long-term vision ? Just stumble from one series to another ?

His selections shows the deferential mindset of the man - continually retreating to his three senior players Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz like a baby needs a blanket. How can you insist on this trio when Iftikhar Ahmed blew everyone out of the water in the National T20 ?

His treatment of Abdullah Shafique in the National T20 is also something we'd crucify Misbah for.

Tactically there's much to learn. Spreading the field allowing the WI tailenders to score easy singles in the 1st Test cost us the series, and I don't know why he keeps persisting with the same death bowlers in LOIs who leak runs like a sieve.

Not reaching SFs in our second home of UAE in the WC would be inexcusable.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

Forget the English for a second. I thought Azhar Ali was an inept and uninspiring captain but Babar seems set to give him a run for his money. Two years from his appointment and what progress can we speak about ?

It's absolutely comical seeing the PCB Social Media Department trying to hype him up as this generation's Imran Khan with their cringy photoshoots and YouTube features.

It's hard to create a Cult of Personality around somebody who doesn't have a personality.

He says nothing of substance in interviews. Instead he trots out the usual "I want to be an aggressive captain like Imran Khan" claptrap that I've heard from every Pakistani skipper in my lifetime. Even massively flawed captains like Misbah and Sarfraz had some discernible philosophy with Misbah favoured spin while Sarfraz reoriented the team back to pace and all-rounders - what's Babar's long-term vision ? Just stumble from one series to another ?

His selections shows the deferential mindset of the man - continually retreating to his three senior players Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz like a baby needs a blanket. How can you insist on this trio when Iftikhar Ahmed blew everyone out of the water in the National T20 ?

His treatment of Abdullah Shafique in the National T20 is also something we'd crucify Misbah for.

Tactically there's much to learn. Spreading the field allowing the WI tailenders to score easy singles in the 1st Test cost us the series, and I don't know why he keeps persisting with the same death bowlers in LOIs who leak runs like a sieve.

Not reaching SFs in our second home of UAE in the WC would be inexcusable.

This, this and THIS.

Believe me, no one cares about English language as long as Babar performs. It's his vision for the game in the country that truly matters. Here's finally a captain that everyone in the country loves and has respect for. He needs to inspire and pave the way for the future of cricket in Pakistan. Displaying confused and conflicted attitude is not going to cut it.

 

[offstump]

Let’s see wha Babar has to say after the toss. Hopefully he shows up confidently irrespective of how good his English is. Or maybe he’ll just speak in Urdu who knows.

 

[MenInG]

Good to see Babar used a translator for English questions today in pre-game presser.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Snowflake]

Let’s see wha Babar has to say after the toss. Hopefully he shows up confidently irrespective of how good his English is. Or maybe he’ll just speak in Urdu who knows.

He's almost as bad in Urdu as he is in English!

Fact is, Babar is a bad orator. He uses the same 2/3 sentences in every interview, regardless of the questions.

 

[MenInG]

He's almost as bad in Urdu as he is in English!

Fact is, Babar is a bad orator. He uses the same 2/3 sentences in every interview, regardless of the questions.

The word "Bilkul" is used by the whole team...

 

[Snowflake]

Forget the English for a second. I thought Azhar Ali was an inept and uninspiring captain but Babar seems set to give him a run for his money. Two years from his appointment and what progress can we speak about ?

It's absolutely comical seeing the PCB Social Media Department trying to hype him up as this generation's Imran Khan with their cringy photoshoots and YouTube features.

It's hard to create a Cult of Personality around somebody who doesn't have a personality.

He says nothing of substance in interviews. Instead he trots out the usual "I want to be an aggressive captain like Imran Khan" claptrap that I've heard from every Pakistani skipper in my lifetime. Even massively flawed captains like Misbah and Sarfraz had some discernible philosophy with Misbah favoured spin while Sarfraz reoriented the team back to pace and all-rounders - what's Babar's long-term vision ? Just stumble from one series to another ?

His selections shows the deferential mindset of the man - continually retreating to his three senior players Hafeez, Malik and Sarfraz like a baby needs a blanket. How can you insist on this trio when Iftikhar Ahmed blew everyone out of the water in the National T20 ?

His treatment of Abdullah Shafique in the National T20 is also something we'd crucify Misbah for.

Tactically there's much to learn. Spreading the field allowing the WI tailenders to score easy singles in the 1st Test cost us the series, and I don't know why he keeps persisting with the same death bowlers in LOIs who leak runs like a sieve.

Not reaching SFs in our second home of UAE in the WC would be inexcusable.

Very well said.

However, it's not Babar's fault that he is an uninspiring leader, is it? Babar is not a leader and will never inspire confidence with the kind of personality he has. Also, level of intelligence and sharpness of mind differs from one individual to the other. Babar has a below average mind when it comes to intelligence, so expecting him to make smart decisions on field is not fair.

We need to accept that Babar just doesn't have leadership qualities in him. He follows a default template that he knows and hopes that more often than not it provides favorable results.

 

[Snowflake]

The word "Bilkul" is used by the whole team...

Lol! Yes, but we can't use the rest of the team as a barometer to judge the captain, can we? Captain should be above the rest of the team in most, if not all, aspects.

 

[Waleed93]

This slave mentality will never go away from Pakistan fans' minds.

Who gives a damn about Babar's english speaking skills when he is right now the best batsman in the world, who has the potential to end up as one of the ATGs of the game.

His bat does the talking and that is more than enough. If you want better english speakers to lead the team, call back your Azhars, Shehzads and Hafeezs who could speak better english than Babar but will never be 10% the players he is.

Most supreme athletes in the world such as Ronaldo and Messi don't speak fluent english and people don't care about it for two reasons :

1. They don't have this rotten mentality where they decide the education level of a player based on his english.

2. They care about players' performances on the field, not their background, communication skills,etc..

 

[Saj]

His press conferences are hardly inspiring and yes he keeps using the same buzz words like we will play aggressive cricket etc, but what he brings is inspiration with the bat.

I'm sure his team-mates couldn't care less how good his English or Urdu is.

 

[shah_1]

This slave mentality will never go away from Pakistan fans' minds.

Who gives a damn about Babar's english speaking skills when he is right now the best batsman in the world, who has the potential to end up as one of the ATGs of the game.

His bat does the talking and that is more than enough. If you want better english speakers to lead the team, call back your Azhars, Shehzads and Hafeezs who could speak better english than Babar but will never be 10% the players he is.

Most supreme athletes in the world such as Ronaldo and Messi don't speak fluent english and people don't care about it for two reasons :

1. They don't have this rotten mentality where they decide the education level of a player based on his english.

2. They care about players' performances on the field, not their background, communication skills,etc..

You're wrong here

English is a must as lot of our players get coached by foreigners, hence communication with coaches is very much part of player development.

 

[andy0204]

I have no problem with talking him in native language but the thing is even when he speaks in Urdu he doesn't seem confident.
Look at khabib he doesn't know English when he came to UFC but he learnt how to speak and you can see how he speaks confidently,I'm not saying Babar must learn English,he just need to polish his speaking skills when he is interacting and having an interview.

 

[shamaan]

You're wrong here

English is a must as lot of our players get coached by foreigners, hence communication with coaches is very much part of player development.

Then the coach should be learning other languages it works both ways !

 

[shamaan]

Babar is leading from the front with the bat and communication with the players and that's what matters.

 

[light]

This is just my own personal opinion but every leader and player should learn English and improve on it on their own time (regardless of their on-field performance). More and more we see these T20 leagues popping up. There is a good chance, that some of these poor English speak lads will become captains of franchise cricket/international cricket. If you can't communicate with your players or even worst, during the interview, don't understand what you're saying, that's just bad PR and extra pressure.

When you're able to communicate and understand and follow the conversation, you grow in stature.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

He's almost as bad in Urdu as he is in English!

Fact is, Babar is a bad orator. He uses the same 2/3 sentences in every interview, regardless of the questions.

That’s always been the problem with many Pakistani cricketers.

It’s not that language is the main issue (it is but it doesn’t even come to the point for that to be an issue). The fact is that majority of the players cannot put any stream of coherent thoughts which adds value to a discussion or interviews.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

This slave mentality will never go away from Pakistan fans' minds.

Who gives a damn about Babar's english speaking skills when he is right now the best batsman in the world, who has the potential to end up as one of the ATGs of the game.

His bat does the talking and that is more than enough. If you want better english speakers to lead the team, call back your Azhars, Shehzads and Hafeezs who could speak better english than Babar but will never be 10% the players he is.

Most supreme athletes in the world such as Ronaldo and Messi don't speak fluent english and people don't care about it for two reasons :

1. They don't have this rotten mentality where they decide the education level of a player based on his english.

2. They care about players' performances on the field, not their background, communication skills,etc..

Bhai problem isn’t English. In Urdu he also can’t string 3 coherent sentences together which have an overarching theme. He has no philosophy

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

The problem isn’t Punjabi or Urdu (and to be honest even English).

The problem is that like majority of our cricketers he is not an articulate guy and cannot put his thoughts into well constructed sentences regardless of the language being used.

He was earmarked to be a batting stalwart since he was 14 so it really speaks volumes for the lack of long term planning and Babar’s own lack of ambition that he didn’t brother to groom himself.

Wasim Akram couldn’t speak a lick on English when he made his debut and now he commentates. But again that comes back to being articulate which babar isn’t in any language.

Oh wow I literally said this a year ago and it’s still an issue and I totally stand by it. I think [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] was also making similar point but apologies if that’s not what you meant

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Now an additional issue with Babar is that he's just not a good communicator, period... English or Urdu. Babar doesn't even communicate well when being spoke to in Urdu and sticks with extremely generic and rehearsed sentences that do not provide any value or insight.

Hilarious thing is his Urdu is better than his Punjabi.

 

[MenInG]

Geography also an issue it seems

"We tried our bench strength today. Early on the ball wasn't coming well on the wicket. We were short of runs in the first innings. But credit to the Scotland (Netherlands) bowlers who bowled very well," Azam said in his post-match interview

Cricket Scotland picked it up...

 

[Cosmic]

Please leave Alone Babay Azam Out of this...Can you guys ask Messi, Ronaldo ?

 

[The_KING]

Please leave Alone Babay Azam Out of this...Can you guys ask Messi, Ronaldo ?

Stupid comparison.

Football is more about domestic leagues, while cricket, despite the recent influx of domestic T20 leagues, is still mostly centred around the international cricket structure.

Ronaldo didn’t speak a word of English when he came to England, but now he can speak decent enough English. Messi has never played in England or any English speaking country, so he doesn’t need to speak English.

As mentioned above, cricket is still centred mostly around countries playing each other. The international language of communication is English. It is embarrassing that a captain of an international cricket side hasn’t made any effort to improve his English. Communication is a very important skill for a captain and Babar is a poor speaker.

 

[MenInG]

Bit unfair of organizers to ask BA to speak in English at toss in the game vs India.

 

[MenInG]

Bit unfair of organizers to ask BA to speak in English at toss in the game vs India.

PCB have told us that it was Babar's choice to speak English.

 

[Sher Khan]

Lack of communication skills hurting Pakistan

We have seen this happen before. Touch and go decisions going against Pakistan. The real problem to me seems to be a lack of communication skills from the Pakistan captain and players. The lack of fluency in English is hurting them big time.

The No ball issue could easily have been dealt with better if Azam had the skills to communicate and persuade the on field umpires to use the technology available and check with the third umpire to confirm a no ball.

 

[DRsohail]

It was already been given, communication is good to have like shan Masood but no ball decision would have not been reversed,

 

[Savak]

Lol at the thought that just speaking good English will be enough to convince the umpires to give a decision against India and BCCI.

 

[Major]

Once decision is made it doesn't get reversed. This is regarding extras.

Anyways, let's move on. Day has gone by [MENTION=43242]Dr_Bassim[/MENTION] was right. Nawaz shouldn't had bowl that delivery in the first place.

 

[rhony]

We have seen this happen before. Touch and go decisions going against Pakistan. The real problem to me seems to be a lack of communication skills from the Pakistan captain and players. The lack of fluency in English is hurting them big time.

The No ball issue could easily have been dealt with better if Azam had the skills to communicate and persuade the on field umpires to use the technology available and check with the third umpire to confirm a no ball.

As per the rules, waist height no ball is not referred to the third umpire unless there is a dismissal. This has nothing to do with English or communication skills. I'm surprised Babar and Afridi aren't fined by ICC for arguing with the umpire.

 

[Firebat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No criticism of anyone but cricketers should do press conferences and interviews in the language they feel most comfortable in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvPAK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvPAK</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1590314780774260736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Funny reply from Naseem Shah

The reporter further asks Naseem about his opinion on the ‘pace vs skills’ debate, insisting that while Anderson doesn't possess the same speed as before, he has still got the skills. The Pakistan youngster, however, cut the question short and made a rather hilarious remark about his English language comprehension.

“Brother, I have just 30 percent English. My English is finished now, okay?” Naseem said, leading to laughter across the room.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...aves-reporters-in-splits-101669715407946.html

 

[adi_62941]

Funny reply from Naseem Shah

The reporter further asks Naseem about his opinion on the ‘pace vs skills’ debate, insisting that while Anderson doesn't possess the same speed as before, he has still got the skills. The Pakistan youngster, however, cut the question short and made a rather hilarious remark about his English language comprehension.

“Brother, I have just 30 percent English. My English is finished now, okay?” Naseem said, leading to laughter across the room.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...aves-reporters-in-splits-101669715407946.html

I do not want to criticize our team but some of our players looks complete joke when any sensible question is thrown towards them. They makes mockery out of a simple answer or turn it into very lame jokes

I have seen harris rauf talk and behave both on field and off field and found him extremely matured and sensible guy although he is also not that good in English speaking skills but he try to put weight on whatever he speaks rather than throwing lame jokes and fooling around with his words.

 

[Mamoon]

I do not want to criticize our team but some of our players looks complete joke when any sensible question is thrown towards them. They makes mockery out of a simple answer or turn it into very lame jokes

I have seen harris rauf talk and behave both on field and off field and found him extremely matured and sensible guy although he is also not that good in English speaking skills but he try to put weight on whatever he speaks rather than throwing lame jokes and fooling around with his words.

This type of behavior & attitude is expected when your team is filled up with uneducated villagers. Money & fame will buy you expensive clothes, phones, watches & cars but it will not buy intelligence & class.

I don’t like Haris Rauf as a bowler but yes I agree that he handles himself well in pressers & comes across as quite intelligent. Unfortunately most of the others are embarrassing to listen to.

 

[Suleiman]

Obsession with English is the least of our concerns and one of the dumbest questions ever. Nobody cares if Pakistani players are proficient in English.

Some of the finest sportsmen in MMA, football, basically any sport that has world class players from 3rd world countries where there’s no need to speak English have translators. It’s not a big deal. Stop making it one.

Some of the best fighters in UFC are Brazilian, and have translators. Sebastian Chabal, one of the best rugby players ever (btw he’s French, so not evens a 3rd world star) even declined to answer any questions in English in France after a smug English reporter told him in England that “this is England, we speak English here”. Same with Jurgen Klopp in Germany.

 

[Mamoon]

Please leave Alone Babay Azam Out of this...Can you guys ask Messi, Ronaldo ?

How many times do I have to expose his illogical comparison? Football is a proper global sport, it is played by countries all over the world including those who have no connection with the English language.

Cricket is different - it is played by either English speaking countries or by former colonies. Pakistan has English as one of its official languages just like India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh do. The rest of the cricket nations are English speaking.

Therefore, you cannot escape English in cricket. It has become the de facto official language of cricket. Everything is conducted in this language as a cricket captain, you cannot avoid it.

Toss, communicating with umpires, opposition players, post match presentations & press conferences etc. Whether you like it or not, you will be speaking English and therefore, it is imperative that your players - at least the captain - is comfortable conversing in English.

I am glad that Babar is making a lot of effort on this front and he has improved quite a bit. A year or so back he could barely speak a word but now he is able to hold a conversation.

I am sure he will improve further over the coming years. Someone like Wasim Akram could barely speak when he first arrived onto the scene & now he does English commentatory.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Babar has improved a lot, watched his interview with naseer hussain. He was able to convey his message.. if he remains captain for two to three more years he'll be more fluent

 

[Local.Dada]

Lack of English is not the problem. Plenty of cricketers with mediocre- poor English skills can articulate their points across really well. Example: Dhoni, Wasim Akram etc.

 

[Major]

This type of behavior & attitude is expected when your team is filled up with uneducated villagers. Money & fame will buy you expensive clothes, phones, watches & cars but it will not buy intelligence & class.

I don’t like Haris Rauf as a bowler but yes I agree that he handles himself well in pressers & comes across as quite intelligent. Unfortunately most of the others are embarrassing to listen to.

are you serious?

harris Rauf comes across as a villiage idiot.

He was invited as a guest to Islamic University, during the whole time he had his cap on. It is basic ettiquetes that you take off your cap when you enter a building, and this guy was in a university

 

[Sunny_majoka]

are you serious?

harris Rauf comes across as a villiage idiot.

He was invited as a guest to Islamic University, during the whole time he had his cap on. It is basic ettiquetes that you take off your cap when you enter a building, and this guy was in a university

Relax Major. This is not as much offensive act to call a person an idiot. You're over exaggerating here

 

[SpiritOf1903]

It's painful...just learn or leave it

 

[Major]

Relax Major. This is not as much offensive act to call a person an idiot. You're over exaggerating here

these are basic etiquettes that one should have, especially if you been to a university and plus you have had success in life.

I dont believe in dress codes, but when you are going to a university to talk to students as a successful person, than atleast take off your cap. One looks like an idiot.

I am surprised that PCB doesn't bother to teach these cricketers basic manners, what has been happening at NCA I wonder.

 

[Mamoon]

are you serious?

harris Rauf comes across as a villiage idiot.

He was invited as a guest to Islamic University, during the whole time he had his cap on. It is basic ettiquetes that you take off your cap when you enter a building, and this guy was in a university

He is arrogant but he is well spoken in interviews except the one time when he ran his mouth against India before the World Cup and Kohli ended up destroying him.

 

[adi_62941]

This type of behavior & attitude is expected when your team is filled up with uneducated villagers. Money & fame will buy you expensive clothes, phones, watches & cars but it will not buy intelligence & class.

I don’t like Haris Rauf as a bowler but yes I agree that he handles himself well in pressers & comes across as quite intelligent. Unfortunately most of the others are embarrassing to listen to.

I mean some of them are a complete anti-einstien material even lacking the basic know how of how to deal with media/people around. People like Naseem, Hasnain, Hassan Ali, Rizwan (He is anti-female guy), Moh Wasim etc are worst and need to learn basics atleast for god sake you are playing International cricket

 

[Mamoon]

Those who say that Babar doesn’t need to speak English, it doesn’t matter etc. Can you please explain why Babar’s Twitter handler tweets in perfect English?

I dare Babar to read a single Tweet that comes out of his official account. He can’t.

Why doesn’t Babar tweet in Urdu? The non-Urdu speaking audience can always translate his tweets if they are interested in what he he has to say.

 

[Local.Dada]

these are basic etiquettes that one should have, especially if you been to a university and plus you have had success in life.

I dont believe in dress codes, but when you are going to a university to talk to students as a successful person, than atleast take off your cap. One looks like an idiot.

I am surprised that PCB doesn't bother to teach these cricketers basic manners, what has been happening at NCA I wonder.

Just guessing, It could be most Pakistan players come from a village background.

Even in Indian team people who come from small towns outside the big metros have iffy English. However they are quickly groomed to at least handle themselves in public. Once a player catches attention, the PR teams, management teams etc etc take over to handle affairs.

Guys like Shadab, Rauf handle themselves pretty well or guys like Hafeez, Malik etc. Could be from
playing leagues around the world.

Also from personal observation even the smart ones I mentioned above or even legends 2ws etc have a different demeanor in international media and suddenly switch personalities when they speak to Pakistan media.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Just guessing, It could be most Pakistan players come from a village background.

Even in Indian team people who come from small towns outside the big metros have iffy English. However they are quickly groomed to at least handle themselves in public. Once a player catches attention, the PR teams, management teams etc etc take over to handle affairs.

Guys like Shadab, Rauf handle themselves pretty well or guys like Hafeez, Malik etc. Could be from
playing leagues around the world.

Also from personal observation even the smart ones I mentioned above or even legends 2ws etc have a different demeanor in international media and suddenly switch personalities when they speak to Pakistan media.

Shan Masood is their best guy.

 

[Xoib]

I do not want to criticize our team but some of our players looks complete joke when any sensible question is thrown towards them. They makes mockery out of a simple answer or turn it into very lame jokes

I have seen harris rauf talk and behave both on field and off field and found him extremely matured and sensible guy although he is also not that good in English speaking skills but he try to put weight on whatever he speaks rather than throwing lame jokes and fooling around with his words.

Nothing worng with Naseem answers i thought he handled the Anderson question well.

 

[Major]

Just guessing, It could be most Pakistan players come from a village background.

Even in Indian team people who come from small towns outside the big metros have iffy English. However they are quickly groomed to at least handle themselves in public. Once a player catches attention, the PR teams, management teams etc etc take over to handle affairs.

Guys like Shadab, Rauf handle themselves pretty well or guys like Hafeez, Malik etc. Could be from
playing leagues around the world.

Also from personal observation even the smart ones I mentioned above or even legends 2ws etc have a different demeanor in international media and suddenly switch personalities when they speak to Pakistan media.

rauf is from the city and had attended some classes of university. People think that speaking english is important, no its not.

Having basic etiquettes is more important.

Shadab and Rauf dont handle themselves well. Just because they have good looks or wear good clothes doesnt mean they are handling themselves well. They dont have basic manners.

Hafeez and Malik handle themselves better because they have learn these basic things.

 

[Major]

He is arrogant but he is well spoken in interviews except the one time when he ran his mouth against India before the World Cup and Kohli ended up destroying him.

na man, we both are looking from a different lens.

When I saw a video of this guy go to Islamic Uni Islamabad, I felt weird at both Haris and the University that if you are inviting back your alumni, first of all your alumni needs to have abit of professional out look. Even if he is not dressed professional atleast dont wear a cap to the building.

These cricketers should not be allowed anywhere near educational building unless they themselves have bothered to get an education.

The only guy who can face the media and that to in a respectful manner is Shan Masood. Misbah as well use to come across very professional.

 

[ZafarKhan2022]

Strange that we're having the same discussion we were having on Pakpassion 15 years ago. Nothing ever improves or changes in Pakistan. If a player cannot speak in English get him an interpreter.

 

[MenInG]

In his presser today, instead of saying "out of the box", he said "below the belt" - bit embarrassing

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[James]

In his presser today, instead of saying "out of the box", he said "below the belt" - bit embarrassing

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Oh dear me.

Not the best figurative speech mixup there.

 

[Cricket-lion]

na man, we both are looking from a different lens.

When I saw a video of this guy go to Islamic Uni Islamabad, I felt weird at both Haris and the University that if you are inviting back your alumni, first of all your alumni needs to have abit of professional out look. Even if he is not dressed professional atleast dont wear a cap to the building.

These cricketers should not be allowed anywhere near educational building unless they themselves have bothered to get an education.

The only guy who can face the media and that to in a respectful manner is Shan Masood. Misbah as well use to come across very professional.

Wearing a cap or not is minor, it is not an issue. Let people wear what they wish.

Pakistan players not speaking English initially is not an issue. The issue is the inability to progress and refine oneself over the years. There is a lack of will from some players it seems. It not even about English but bringing religion into post match interviews is something that should be avoided.

If you want to be be more marketable, all these things matter. Yet again, when you have a shockingly low literacy rate, should we blame the players? They are a reflection of the society.