Published on 08:48 PM, October 04, 2015

BCB warns Bangladesh Women’s Team against speaking Urdu

Captains of Bangladesh and Pakistan women's cricket teams, Salma Khatun (L) and Sana Mir pose with the series trophy on the eve of the first T20I in Karachi on September 29. Photo: AFP

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cautioned members of Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team against talking in Urdu for the remainder of their tour to Pakistan.

The BCB sought an explanation from the team management upon skipper Salma Khatun’s speaking a few phrases in Urdu during a media talk, reports The Express Tribune quoting Shafiqul Haq, manager of Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team.

 “We have been ordered to speak only Bengali or English during interviews or talks with anyone here,” Shafiqul Haq told The Express Tribune.

“I have been asked to stay with the team wherever they go and translate their words in English,” he added.

The Bangladesh government has directed the BCB that the players and officials should avoid speaking in Urdu or Hindi during their tour of Pakistan or India, an official of the cricket board confirmed. 

Bangladesh players and officials have been asked to abide by the policy and refrain from conversing in Urdu during their tour in Pakistan.

Bangladesh women are on a limited-over series visit to Pakistan and will be playing their first ODI against the hosts today.

They have lost the T20I series 2-0 against Pakistan at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi.