Only Urdu please, we are Pakistanis

Montego Bay, Mar 11 (UNI) Pakistani cricket players here for the World Cup have been instructed to speak only in Urdu while dealing with media or ICC officials.

According to sources, this dictate follows complaints by several Pakistani officials that some of the players do not understand English properly and their answers most of the time are sinterpreted.

''Mohammad Asif is a victim of this. The seamer has little or no knowledge of English but in his attempt to reply in that language he created problems for himself,'' the sources said.

''Also speaking in Urdu will increase the self belief of the players,'' they said, adding ''in most of the non English speaking countries top sportspersons always speak in their mother tongue.'' ''Sportspersons from China, Russia, Germany, France always speak in their mother tongue and in the process enhance their and country's reputation,'' the sources said.

''Pakistani players can express themselves better in Urdu, then why should they speak in English while answering the queries from media or ICC officials.

''Several times we have seen that players' answers have been misquoted so why not avoid this situation. By speaking English you are not going to score more runs or take more wickets.

''But, it is no imposition on players because the players have liked the idea,'' the sources added.

Stick to your national language (Urdu), be proud of it .

This is the mantra for the Pakistani players till their campaign in the World Cup lasts.

UNI