Pakistan Must hire a Translator for Post Match Ceremony Interviews

[Rana]

I strongly urge Wasim Khan sb to look into this. We will lose our Supersport and Sky Sports deals after 3 years if we are content with Rameez Raja speaking to our players in Urdu and the players also making no effort to speak English.

Sky Sports have no reason to be broadcasting a foreign language to their English speaking audience without any subtitles or live interpretation. This is actually highly unprofessional.

If our boys are not going to learn English, that’s fine. But the PCB needs to make sure that a translator is there to ensure the message is conveyed in English with a live translator next to them, and The Presenter should only speak one language and that is English regardless.

 

[Major]

?
No need.

The broadcasters main market is urdu speaking pakistan.

Plus, broadcasters cant force players what to do.

Such imature issues people take up. Now a days a poster cant understand his native language, he or she ends up critisizing PCB for it.....

 

[aloo paratha]

As far as I know, lots of European footballers speak in their own languages in press conferences, the demand for those leagues is still there. Nobody cares that much about post match interviews anyways.

 

[Rana]

?
No need.

The broadcasters main market is urdu speaking pakistan.

Plus, broadcasters cant force players what to do.

Such imature issues people take up. Now a days a poster cant understand his native language, he or she ends up critisizing PCB for it.....

You might be happy watching this archaic garbage on PTV or Hum Masala...I am not. It’s been a dream to watch them play on a proper sports channel in England. And before we lose our deals after 3 years, we better get our act together!

 

[Major]

As far as I know, lots of European footballers speak in their own languages in press conferences, the demand for those leagues is still there. Nobody cares that much about post match interviews anyways.

Exactly, but we have people who dont understand a lamguage thus want players to speak a language they understand.


Next we will have a thread whete the op would be saying that chirping by the keeper should be done in english or else beoadcaster will close the stump mic

 

[Rana]

Exactly, but we have people who dont understand a lamguage thus want players to speak a language they understand.


Next we will have a thread whete the op would be saying that chirping by the keeper should be done in english or else beoadcaster will close the stump mic

Like what is your problem?

The Urdu speaking audience get their fair share with the players speaking Urdu, and the translator gives the English speaking Audience their insight into what the player has just said. Why do you have an issue with a problem being solved?

 

[Abdullah719]

I strongly urge Wasim Khan sb to look into this. We will lose our Supersport and Sky Sports deals after 3 years if we are content with Rameez Raja speaking to our players in Urdu and the players also making no effort to speak English.

Sky Sports have no reason to be broadcasting a foreign language to their English speaking audience without any subtitles or live interpretation. This is actually highly unprofessional.

I doubt Sky Sports will be looking at the post-match ceremony and going, “Hmm, it’s in Urdu. We don’t need this. Let’s stop showing matches from Pakistan.”

How many people even watch it? It’s such an arbitrary thing to care about.

 

[Rana]

I doubt Sky Sports will be looking at the post-match ceremony and going, “Hmm, it’s in Urdu. We don’t need this. Let’s stop showing matches from Pakistan.”

How many people even watch it? It’s such an arbitrary thing to care about.

Alright, well I won’t be surprised if we lose our deal after 3 years if the language is not globalised into English or at least an English interpreter.

Why did Sky have translators for the home series if it isn’t such a big deal?

 

[MK7Z]

Yes I think the players should use practice and net session time to learn English. So we can hear them say thanks to their coaches/captain and senior players for giving them confidence.

 

[cricket4all]

This is such a small issue really, and if sky and super sport want an English translator they will surely let the pcb know. It’s the cricket they are more interested in as well as catering for Pak fans.

I am glad a professional channel has got pak cricket but in the end any coverage was better than non at all (which use to be the case as well).

The matches are in Pakistan, Urdu is the national language and Pakistanis should be proud to speak their own language. Having said that a translator would fix the problem and cater for the English speaking people.

 

[cricket4all]

Yes I think the players should use practice and net session time to learn English. So we can hear them say thanks to their coaches/captain and senior players for giving them confidence.

As long as they perform on the field and can be translated then it should not matter if they speak Chinese or whatever.
Also, sky used translators in England because they were playing in England and interviewed by English speaking only pundits.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Minor, but would be nice. I am not very good at Urdu so hard for me to understand.

 

[Sarwar89]

What matters is Win.
How good Lionel Messi, Brazilian Ronaldo or Cafu, Kaka, late Maradona etc have been in English.
As long as Team Pakistan is winning and winning, international broadcasters will consider us a force in Cricket.
I remember that Z Ansari, an English cricketer who went to Oxford or cambridge and was brilliant in Studies, even KP admitted it. But after playing 1 or 2 tests he quit. He just was not a good cricketer.

 

[Rana]

Yes I think the players should use practice and net session time to learn English. So we can hear them say thanks to their coaches/captain and senior players for giving them confidence.

No they should practice cricket. Let the translator speak English for them.

 

[cricket4all]

As well as a translator maybe some of the Pakistan fans should also learn to speak and understand Urdu as well if they want to understand everything said properly? lol.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

As well as a translator maybe some of the Pakistan fans should also learn to speak and understand Urdu as well if they want to understand everything said properly? lol.

Yes, I'm trying to understand urdu but it's spoken too fast for me understand.

 

[Shazzam]

I’d rather our players learn English instead.

 

[Rana]

I’d rather our players learn English instead.

They won’t bro. They are too old, they only want to learn English good enough to communicate on text messages. That’s about it

 

[Shazzam]

They won’t bro. They are too old, they only want to learn English good enough to communicate on text messages. That’s about it

There are a lot of benefits in knowing it. They could easily sign up to be commentators or coach other countries. Be invited as guests outside of Pakistan and India.

 

[Rana]

There are a lot of benefits in knowing it. They could easily sign up to be commentators or coach other countries. Be invited as guests outside of Pakistan and India.

Tbf they will never learn enough to reach that kind of level unless they have gone to an English Medium school like Ramiz Raja did. You can’t learn English that is good enough on the job. Look how embarrassing it is to listen to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Thank God we have not yet been given Shoaib Akhtar the English commentator yet!

Another example is Shoaib Malik, but you can never be good enough to sit with the likes of Warne, Nasser, Atherton etc to hold a proper meaningful conversation. This is why I think there is no shame in hiring an interpreter who will ensure that we are properly represented instead of no global representation whatsoever!

 

[Shazzam]

Tbf they will never learn enough to reach that kind of level unless they have gone to an English Medium school like Ramiz Raja did. You can’t learn English that is good enough on the job. Look how embarrassing it is to listen to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Thank God we have not yet been given Shoaib Akhtar the English commentator yet!

Another example is Shoaib Malik, but you can never be good enough to sit with the likes of Warne, Nasser, Atherton etc to hold a proper meaningful conversation. This is why I think there is no shame in hiring an interpreter who will ensure that we are properly represented instead of no global representation whatsoever!

I mean I am fine with getting us a translator but don’t you think PCB should have a program to teach players English while giving them media speaking training?

 

[Mamoon]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment. People keep giving lame examples of footballers without understanding that the context is different.

Cricket is primarily played by countries that are either English speaking or have English as one of the official languages.

As a result, unlike in football, English has become the de facto language of the sport, and a cricket player will inevitably find himself in situations where he will have to speak English.

PCB needs to incorporate some form of English coaching program at some level. Also, if these players are too proud to work on their English, they should also perhaps tweet in Urdu.

It is comical to see Babar fail to utter a word in English and then few hours later, his official Twitter account comes up with a lengthy English tweet with flawless grammar and vocabulary.

If you are not interested in learning English and then perhaps you should instruct your social media team to tweet in Urdu for you.

 

[Kroll]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment. People keep giving lame examples of footballers without understanding that the context is different.

Cricket is primarily played by countries that are either English speaking or have English as one of the official languages.

As a result, unlike in football, English has become the de facto language of the sport, and a cricket player will inevitably find himself in situations where he will have to speak English.

PCB needs to incorporate some form of English coaching program at some level. Also, if these players are too proud to work on their English, they should also perhaps tweet in Urdu.

It is comical to see Babar fail to utter a word in English and then few hours later, his official Twitter account comes up with a lengthy English tweet with flawless grammar and vocabulary.

If you are not interested in learning English and then perhaps you should instruct your social media team to tweet in Urdu for you.

For the most part, they'll be stood there boring us to death thanking their coaches/captain, seniors, the almighty, parents, aunts/uncles, neighbours, friends etc.

 

[Minnowbasher]

As if Sky Sports, Supersport viewers only watch cricket for the post match presentations. No one cares! Move on.

 

[burger_uno]

pcb should certainly work with foreign media although i dont think sky will be concerned about english skills of pakistani players especially in this day and age when colonialism has become a four letter word and exotica is the rage.

rather, opportunity lies in potential of pink-ball tests between england and pak in pak. as people might be aware, sky have lost their 30-year monopoly on english tours abroad. in the recent past, they have also lost coverage of champions league and tennis which were long-time sky staples. with behemoths like amazon prime expanding into sports coverage, there is no guarantee that sky can retain coverage of domestic cricket on long-term basis.

these developments can benefit pcb because sky is guaranteed coverage of english tour to pakistan. and timing of pink ball tests in pak would suit sky perfectly since it can fill daytime slot. so it is in our interest to hope that upcoming pink ball test in india is a resounding success and that england team enjoys a good couple of years which should increase ratings for sky and give incentive to england to make repeated tours to the region.

pcb also has reason to promote pink-ball cricket to increase domestic audience for local test matches. purest might scoff but we have to adapt with the times. hard part would be to ensure that matches are competitive and exciting. success of such a tour should result in english tour to pakistan on a more frequent basis which should benefit all concerned.

 

[Rana]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment. People keep giving lame examples of footballers without understanding that the context is different.

Cricket is primarily played by countries that are either English speaking or have English as one of the official languages.

As a result, unlike in football, English has become the de facto language of the sport, and a cricket player will inevitably find himself in situations where he will have to speak English.

PCB needs to incorporate some form of English coaching program at some level. Also, if these players are too proud to work on their English, they should also perhaps tweet in Urdu.

It is comical to see Babar fail to utter a word in English and then few hours later, his official Twitter account comes up with a lengthy English tweet with flawless grammar and vocabulary.

If you are not interested in learning English and then perhaps you should instruct your social media team to tweet in Urdu for you.

Yeah exactly if they are using professional social media companies to run their accounts why can’t they use a professional interpreter for interviews that are going to be broadcasted on Sky Sports and Supersport?

 

[Buffet]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment.

Why poor English will be a source of embarrassment? It is just a language and players grew up with a different language.

I am not saying that they shouldn't try to pick up English once they are playing under 19 or above. It will actually help them to interact with other international players and also help them to earn more in the future, but no need to feel embarrassed about not knowing a foreign language.

Yes, Cricket is played in regions where Britishers ruled, but the majority of the population does not have English as their mother tongue.

 

[Buffet]

Yeah exactly if they are using professional social media companies to run their accounts why can’t they use a professional interpreter for interviews that are going to be broadcasted on Sky Sports and Supersport?

I think an interpreter may not be important for the local crowd, but it will be nice for fans in SA to understand what Pakistani players are saying. Not a huge number of fans listen to this, but many do.

 

[DeadBall]

No they should practice cricket. Let the translator speak English for them.

As long as they perform on the field and can be translated then it should not matter if they speak Chinese or whatever.
Also, sky used translators in England because they were playing in England and interviewed by English speaking only pundits.

He was being sarcastic.

 

[Rana]

As if Sky Sports, Supersport viewers only watch cricket for the post match presentations. No one cares! Move on.

Look I know they don’t. It’s a small part of the entire package, but I would still argue that you cannot hold ceremonies in a foreign language without an interpreter or subtitles. It’s highly unprofessional.

Why is there no Urdu subtitling under the English interviews of the South African or English speaking players if the target audience is Urdu speakers in the first place?

 

[Rana]

He was being sarcastic.

Yes and I was giving an honest response to his sarcasm. Our players will not learn English, we know that. But they should not be doing prestige post match ceremonies in Urdu, that too on a global feed like Sky Sports and Supersport

 

[Mamoon]

Why poor English will be a source of embarrassment? It is just a language and players grew up with a different language.

I am not saying that they shouldn't try to pick up English once they are playing under 19 or above. It will actually help them to interact with other international players and also help them to earn more in the future, but no need to feel embarrassed about not knowing a foreign language.

Yes, Cricket is played in regions where Britishers ruled, but the majority of the population does not have English as their mother tongue.

It is embarrassing to see Pakistani players mumbling and speaking awful English right before or after Kohli and other Indian players speaking fluently.

Prior to the 2019 World Cup, all the captains sat together and had a media session. A journalist asked both Kohli and Sarfraz to shed light on the India vs Pakistan encounter and what it meant to both teams.

Kohli gave a long, articulate reply and when it was Sarfraz’s turn to speak, he went pale and mumbled “same answer” with a sheepish laugh.

It is was embarrassing to see how awkward and inarticulate the Pakistan captain was.

That incident between Umar Akmal and an English journalist in the 2014 WT20 was also very embarrassing.

Inzamam’s “boys played well” became a running joke especially among Indian fans and it was certainly a source of embarrassment for Pakistani fans.

The lack of proficiency of the Pakistani players when it comes to speaking English has provided many embarrassing moments for the fans.

 

[Kroll]

It is embarrassing to see Pakistani players mumbling and speaking awful English right before or after Kohli and other Indian players speaking fluently.

Prior to the 2019 World Cup, all the captains sat together and had a media session. A journalist asked both Kohli and Sarfraz to shed light on the India vs Pakistan encounter and what it meant to both teams.

Kohli gave a long, articulate reply and when it was Sarfraz’s turn to speak, he went pale and mumbled “same answer” with a sheepish laugh.

It is was embarrassing to see how awkward and inarticulate the Pakistan captain was.

That incident between Umar Akmal and an English journalist in the 2014 WT20 was also very embarrassing.

Inzamam’s “boys played well” became a running joke especially among Indian fans and it was certainly a source of embarrassment for Pakistani fans.

The lack of proficiency of the Pakistani players when it comes to speaking English has provided many embarrassing moments for the fans.

Actually, that could go both ways as the Indians are notorious for wanting to act and speak like their old colonial masters.

 

[Slog]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment. People keep giving lame examples of footballers without understanding that the context is different.

Cricket is primarily played by countries that are either English speaking or have English as one of the official languages.

As a result, unlike in football, English has become the de facto language of the sport, and a cricket player will inevitably find himself in situations where he will have to speak English.

PCB needs to incorporate some form of English coaching program at some level. Also, if these players are too proud to work on their English, they should also perhaps tweet in Urdu.

It is comical to see Babar fail to utter a word in English and then few hours later, his official Twitter account comes up with a lengthy English tweet with flawless grammar and vocabulary.

If you are not interested in learning English and then perhaps you should instruct your social media team to tweet in Urdu for you.

Agreed.

Also it is one thing for players like let’s say an Abid Ali or Mohammad Irfan who made their debuts late and were never in the PCB system at age levels to not have a handle on the language or be trained in it. But it’s utterly pathetic that cricketers like Babar, Shaheen, Sarfaraz etc are also very poor in English eventhough they had been in the PCB system and been earmarked for success since they were literally 15-16 year olds. Very poor long term thinking on part of PCB. It’s their job to be grooming cricketers as ambassadors and training them beyond more than their cricket skills and that’s what any sports organization does.

 

[Maher96]

You might be happy watching this archaic garbage on PTV or Hum Masala...I am not. It’s been a dream to watch them play on a proper sports channel in England. And before we lose our deals after 3 years, we better get our act together!

As a poster said before, we see in all major leagues that’s foreign players speak in their mother tongues etc. But they are however always translated over the voice or right after.

Never the less ramiz raja was even calling klaasen over to him for post match just to realise it was not Covid times.


Don’t think the TV channel can amend this mediocrity.

 

[Mamoon]

It is not colonial mentality to see PCB run all its social media content in English, it is not colonial mentality to see all the players run their social media content in English through their media managers, but if you ask the players to improve their English so that they can strike a conversation, it suddenly becomes an exhibition of colonial mentality.

Brilliant logic.

 

[Rana]

Usman Qadir apparently had his sights set on representing Australia but he did his first ever match interview in Urdu. Like why?!?!?!?!?

“Rizwan Bhai mujhe keh rahe the ke zyaada zor na lagana warna peeche girr jaata hai...”

I swear this guy has been educated at a proper school surely he needs to be interviewed in English!

 

[Shaddy86]

Hardly anyone watches post match presentation. I can't remember the last time I did. Yes the cringiness of our players has contributed to this over the years but still, there's not much to hear once the game is over and this applies to all the teams.

P.S. The numerous amount of cheap player awards make you feel you're watching some local muhalla tournament sponsored by local merchants. Get rid of that crap.

 

[Saj]

I've seen them use translators before.

Half the time the translator was saying something totally different to what was actually being said.

 

[Buffet]

It is embarrassing to see Pakistani players mumbling and speaking awful English right before or after Kohli and other Indian players speaking fluently.

Prior to the 2019 World Cup, all the captains sat together and had a media session. A journalist asked both Kohli and Sarfraz to shed light on the India vs Pakistan encounter and what it meant to both teams.

Kohli gave a long, articulate reply and when it was Sarfraz’s turn to speak, he went pale and mumbled “same answer” with a sheepish laugh.

It is was embarrassing to see how awkward and inarticulate the Pakistan captain was.

That incident between Umar Akmal and an English journalist in the 2014 WT20 was also very embarrassing.

Inzamam’s “boys played well” became a running joke especially among Indian fans and it was certainly a source of embarrassment for Pakistani fans.

The lack of proficiency of the Pakistani players when it comes to speaking English has provided many embarrassing moments for the fans.

Inarticulate is simply due to not having control over language. I think Dhoni did not use to speak English well, but he picked up. It should be possible to pick up, but I don't see it anything embarrassing.

 

[cricket4all]

Again, they are playing in Pakistan and so many ordinary Pakistanis can’t speak English. There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your own language in your own country.

They need to target the locals when in Pakistan to keep the interest high. Perhaps the real issue is the education system in Pakistan. There is no denying English is a global language, and for that reason it should be core from early stages in schools in Pakistan. More so, schooling must be made free and compulsory.

 

[Markhor]

For the most part, they'll be stood there boring us to death thanking their coaches/captain, seniors, the almighty, parents, aunts/uncles, neighbours, friends etc.

"The management gave me confidence"

 

[Savak]

The broadcasters should offer transcription translation services for their audience every time the Pakistani players speak in Urdu

 

[sa88]

Talk about inferiority complex.
The guys are paid to play cricket not speak English. Non issue.

 

[Rana]

Talk about inferiority complex.
The guys are paid to play cricket not speak English. Non issue.

Who’s asking them to speak English?

 

[Hasan123]

It would be nice be nice for them to learn English. It will help them get careers after cricket in media and potentially coaching.

English is the universal language for cricket so our players should learn it. If a player is being interviewed, we don't want to hear that the coach or senior player gave you confidence.

 

[cricket4all]

PCB could ask all regional teams in the domestic to make English classes a small but important requirement of player contracts. Maybe the same for centrally contracted players as well. For the time being translators in post match presentations.

 

[cricket4all]

Wasim Akram couldn’t speak hardly a word in English when he first came but now may not be great but acceptable. Ronaldo when he came to united couldn’t either but learned. Where there is a will and requirement it’s achievable but authorities need to help organising these classes.

 

[Rana]

I’m very proud of PCB acquiring Sky Sports and Supersport as their broadcasters in UK and Africa, but I would be devastated if this isn’t something that lasts longer than 3 years.

I keep pointing out the things that we must improve and build on now that we have this brilliant platform. This is a massive opportunity to globalise the PCB brand.

Interviews in Urdu, Brighto Paints on our Test shirt and Tapal Tea breaks simply won’t cut it I’m afraid.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Why poor English will be a source of embarrassment? It is just a language and players grew up with a different language.

I am not saying that they shouldn't try to pick up English once they are playing under 19 or above. It will actually help them to interact with other international players and also help them to earn more in the future, but no need to feel embarrassed about not knowing a foreign language.

Yes, Cricket is played in regions where Britishers ruled, but the majority of the population does not have English as their mother tongue.

The problem is not knowing English. It is when you try to speak a language you don’t have hold off on the Mic, It comes across as funny.
I don’t know why there needs to be translation, speak and express in language you are comfortable in. That is it. I don’t understand this sub continental obsession with speaking English, even amongst us even when we have a native language in common.
Natarajan gives his interviews in Tamil.
Sehwag used to give interviews in Hindi when he started his career.

 

[Snowflake]

Why poor English will be a source of embarrassment? It is just a language and players grew up with a different language.

I am not saying that they shouldn't try to pick up English once they are playing under 19 or above. It will actually help them to interact with other international players and also help them to earn more in the future, but no need to feel embarrassed about not knowing a foreign language.

Yes, Cricket is played in regions where Britishers ruled, but the majority of the population does not have English as their mother tongue.

2 words: Inferiority complex.

 

[Snowflake]

I think only the captain should be required to have a level of proficiency in speaking English as he is the face of the team and is representing the country at various international arenas. Having a captain who can communicate with the opposition teams and fans builds brand equity.

Players on the other hand, while they might benefit at an individual capacity, by building fans in foreign countries, are okay even if they can only communicate in their mother tongue

 

[Kroll]

PCB just doesn't take it seriously like it does with a lot of things.

It's weird if Babar was being groomed to eventually become the face of Pak cricket from the age of 13, how come he wasn't taught how to speak English?

They would have know this would enable him carry himself when dealing with the international media.

 

[moghul]

I strongly urge Wasim Khan sb to look into this. We will lose our Supersport and Sky Sports deals after 3 years if we are content with Rameez Raja speaking to our players in Urdu and the players also making no effort to speak English.

Sky Sports have no reason to be broadcasting a foreign language to their English speaking audience without any subtitles or live interpretation. This is actually highly unprofessional.

If our boys are not going to learn English, that’s fine. But the PCB needs to make sure that a translator is there to ensure the message is conveyed in English with a live translator next to them, and The Presenter should only speak one language and that is English regardless.

Agree with you, you're not asking players to speak English because in contrast to players from the previous generation, majority of current Pakistani cricketers are school drop outs, but that's reality and its OK. But the matches are streaming all over the world and non-Pakistan born viewer have a right to understand the post match interview.

 

[moghul]

Wasim Akram couldn’t speak hardly a word in English when he first came but now may not be great but acceptable. Ronaldo when he came to united couldn’t either but learned. Where there is a will and requirement it’s achievable but authorities need to help organising these classes.

You need some basic education and schooling to learn English. Waseem went to college , as did almost all the cricketers in 80s and prior to that. Now , almost all of the current Pakistani cricketers are "Chitte Unparrh " elementary school drop outs.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I've seen them use translators before.

Half the time the translator was saying something totally different to what was actually being said.

I remember the 2017 WI series when the team manager(don't remember his name) was totally saying something different to what Shadab would be saying in Urdu. Shadab was man of the match twice I think.

Imad did a fairly good job of translating Hassan Ali's sentences when he won the MOM in CT17 i think. That also gave to that funny clip of Hassan saying: tu bol lay pehle.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I don't see it being an issue. As long as they win and keep winning I am fine with it.

One of the coaches or manager of our team could just translate it for them, nothing shameful with it as long as they are playing well. If English wasn't Australia's main language, I couldn't see them especially learning it.

Although there should be grooming of the players. Shoaib Malik, Afridi, Wasim and some others groomed themselves very well. Misbah, Hafeez, Imad, Saeed Anwar, Rashid Latif, Shan Masood and a handful of others are properly educated.

It would all align well if only our school cricket system was strong (a bit like SL), majority of their players are composed enough.

 

[hadi123]

It's not even about translations. Usman Qadir can speak English fluently. Rizwan's English is surprisingly good. I think Fawad Alam speaks good english but they all done urdu interviews.

The presentations should be in English though, so the opposition can understand.

 

[Varun]

How come Pakistani players are the only team in world cricket that struggle with English?

I looked up a few videos on Indian players who I thought wouldn't know English (like Shubman Gill) but they speak it very well. Even the ones who don't know it starting out pick it up in 1-3 years, like Jadeja.

Clearly some mental block here.

 

[Mamoon]

2 words: Inferiority complex.

Why is the name of our cricket organization Pakistan Cricket Board? Why not Pakistan Cricket idara or whatever? What is the Urdu word for cricket anyway?

Why is PCB social media content in English? Why not Urdu? Pakistanis who use social media can also speak Urdu, so what is the point of using English?

Why have our players hired media managers to tweet for them in English?

Why do our shirts and caps have numbers in English numerals? Why not Urdu numbers?

All of that is okay and not an illustration of inferiority complex, but our players attempting to learn English so that they can communicate effectively in press conferences is.

Amazing logic.

 

[Slog]

How come Pakistani players are the only team in world cricket that struggle with English?

I looked up a few videos on Indian players who I thought wouldn't know English (like Shubman Gill) but they speak it very well. Even the ones who don't know it starting out pick it up in 1-3 years, like Jadeja.

Clearly some mental block here.

1) BCCI are grooming talents from a young age in this aspect. So they have long term approach

2) india anyway doesn’t have one national language so English is sort of a common medium of communication in the first place so there is background to begin with.

3) the new Indian generation has been playing with foreign players and working under foreign coaches in IPL and other tournaments since they were teenagers. So they have had to be in an English speaking environment right from the start.

4) the Indian players realise the important of the language and the doors it opens so are more likely to put an effort.

I think if nothing else, PCB should stress the potential future benefits in terms of media work and commentary stints to encourage the players to really make an effort to learn the language. Commentary world is dying to have ex pakistani crickets who can speak English so that the Ramiz Raja, Wasim Akram monopoly ends. Heck someone like Bazid Khan who was not a household name as a cricketer by any stretch is a regular commentator now due to this dearth of fluent English speaking ex pakistan cricketers. Even Azhar Ali, who is one of the guys with some command of the language; was doing some media work in NZ where he was the player-interviewer and interviewing Kane Williamson. So maybe this financial incentive could force some cricketers to groom themselves better.

 

[DeadBall]

Afghan players have improved in leaps and bounds re English and they come from a similar background. I wonder why.

 

[Mamoon]

Afghan players have improved in leaps and bounds re English and they come from a similar background. I wonder why.

A lot of them play IPL and they are now based in UAE/India.

 

[ManFan]

If the fans want Pakistani cricket to play a bigger role in the small world of the ICC, our players learning English is a great way to do that.

It’s not just endorsements but also communication and prestige.

Don’t forget; the ICC sees cricket as a business first, sport second. And if the PCB can improve its worth by having its staff and players learn English, it would be a fine thing.

 

[Varun]

A lot of them play IPL and they are now based in UAE/India.

How many of them play IPL? Not more than 1 or 2.

 

[ChTab]

I strongly urge Wasim Khan sb to look into this. We will lose our Supersport and Sky Sports deals after 3 years if we are content with Rameez Raja speaking to our players in Urdu and the players also making no effort to speak English.

Sky Sports have no reason to be broadcasting a foreign language to their English speaking audience without any subtitles or live interpretation. This is actually highly unprofessional.

If our boys are not going to learn English, that’s fine. But the PCB needs to make sure that a translator is there to ensure the message is conveyed in English with a live translator next to them, and The Presenter should only speak one language and that is English regardless.

TBH not a bad idea, although I don't think sky sports & super sports will care much about such a thing. But it wouldn't hurt to have a translator for Babar & all others.

 

[Giannis]

Meh, british broadcasters have no issue with andres iniesta and fernando alonso not speaking in english

 

[Rana]

Meh, british broadcasters have no issue with andres iniesta and fernando alonso not speaking in english

Hold on. When do we ever see non English footballers give live interviews on Sky sports, BT sports, BBC and ITV??????

That too without a translator???

 

[MenInG]

TBH not a bad idea, although I don't think sky sports & super sports will care much about such a thing. But it wouldn't hurt to have a translator for Babar & all others.

A proper translator. That's the key. Not someone who does literal translations.

 

[ChTab]

A proper translator. That's the key. Not someone who does literal translations.

Certainly, a proper translator otherwise it would be even more embarrassing.

 

[Varun]

Certainly, a proper translator otherwise it would be even more embarrassing.

Haha, I literally translated a couple of Babar's post match comments last night.

"Yes I was hair pulling towards the end."

"Rizwan 100% scored runs for the team."

 

[Hyder]

Its not a bad thing tbh. Recently saw virat and smith chat and realised that this d be great if pakistani players also had a good grasp of english so they can interact and give better replies and actually answer the question that is being asked and not be off topic for the most part if it.
Listening to YK during recent pak vs nz series was painful. Sawal aam jawab angoor scene tha.

 

[Energy]

Don't think our players have good communication skills even in Urdu. If you are holding your breath for Babar and co to give an insight on how they analyse the game then you're kidding yourself.

 

[IMMY69]

A translator is a good call.

 

[silentkiller187]

speak in the language you are most comfortable in so you can get your message across. People mock pakistani players yet look at other sports, Bielsa in the premier league/ championship has been using translator ever since he came tot he country, mauricio pochetino used to insist on doing his interviews in spanish both have a good grasp of the english language, most the people watching pakistan on sky will understand and the ones that dont probably wont stick around for the presentations.

whats more embarrassing is when players try to speak english but just come across as cringeworthy because they cant express themselves.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Far far better they speak their own language. "the boys played well" with a hundred inshallahs and "all thanks to..." gives me a earache.

 

[Pakhs]

The embarrassing English of our players is always a source of embarrassment. People keep giving lame examples of footballers without understanding that the context is different.

Cricket is primarily played by countries that are either English speaking or have English as one of the official languages.

As a result, unlike in football, English has become the de facto language of the sport, and a cricket player will inevitably find himself in situations where he will have to speak English.

PCB needs to incorporate some form of English coaching program at some level. Also, if these players are too proud to work on their English, they should also perhaps tweet in Urdu.

It is comical to see Babar fail to utter a word in English and then few hours later, his official Twitter account comes up with a lengthy English tweet with flawless grammar and vocabulary.

If you are not interested in learning English and then perhaps you should instruct your social media team to tweet in Urdu for you.

Cricket is primarily played by country whose main language is English? Are you referring to India who needs English for call centers? India is a country with a lot of different languages and they need a common language to interact with each other and they have decided to keep the call centers running its better to learn English than Hindi. Pakistan have no such issue and Urdu is a common language that everyone can speak.

I for one have no issues in Pakistan players speaking primarily in Urdu the whole point of playing international sports is to promote your own country and its heritage.

 

[Pakhs]

How come Pakistani players are the only team in world cricket that struggle with English?

I looked up a few videos on Indian players who I thought wouldn't know English (like Shubman Gill) but they speak it very well. Even the ones who don't know it starting out pick it up in 1-3 years, like Jadeja.

Clearly some mental block here.

Answer is obvious, Pakistan have a common national language called Urdu where India for instance have many languages and not everyone agrees to Hindi being a common language. Infact in the south they prefer to speak English as it gives then an advantage looking for jobs abroad and also in the call centers.

 

[Pakhs]

Haha, I literally translated a couple of Babar's post match comments last night.

"Yes I was hair pulling towards the end."

"Rizwan 100% scored runs for the team."

When I was in university 10 years ago I was shocked to discover a lot of Indian MBA students couldn't speak a word of Hindi and took offence If I told them they should make an effort to speak their national language.

 

[Rana]

Some of the arguments against this suggestion are completely flawed.

- Sky, BT, BBC, ITV never broadcast live interviews of non-English speaking sportsmen. And if they do, they do not broadcast them without a live interpreter at hand or the interviewer himself translating what the sportsman has just said in his own language.

So for those who claim that Sky have no issues with Iniesta speaking in Spanish, well they do. They wont ever interview Iniesta on a live English feed with their English presenter. Same goes for Messi or Diego Costa etc. The only time they will interview these players after a game will be with a teammate at hand who speaks English and Spanish, and then present him with a man of the match trophy or whatever.

Can you imagine, a Champion’s league game that is being built up by Rio Ferdinand etc on BT sports in their studio (in English) and they all of a sudden shift focus to the Nou Camp where a Spanish presenter holds a pre match Spanish with Gerard Pique, with no subtitles or interpretation and then they shift back to the BT studio in London. How unprofessional is this?

This is the point I am trying to make here. PCB seem to have resigned to the fact that they cannot get these boys to become presentable for an English speaking audience, which is fine. They should not be forced to learn English if they don’t like it. However, the PCB brand image will take a major hit at a global level if it continues to provide this awkward Urdu interviews for their own players and speak to the opposition in English. This is pathetic to say the least! How about The South Africans do their interviews in Afrikaans the next time the PCB tour and they still embarrass the Pakistani players by speaking in English to them?