This reporter thinks Sohail Khan should work on his English, not cricket

32-year-old perfect day celebration was marred by a Pakistani journalist


Sports Desk August 04, 2016
Pakistan's Sohail Khan celebrates the wicket of England's Alex Hales during third Test at Edgbaston on August 03, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Pakistan are currently visiting England, which is where cricket's most notorious spot-fixing scandal took place six years back, and therefore the team members are observing a strict code of conduct to avoid any controversy.

Even under intense scrutiny, players like Sohail Khan, who is playing a Test match after years of struggle, became the hero on the third Test's first day by grabbing his maiden five-wicket haul at Edgbaston.

Sohail Khan — the resilient fast bowler inside a body-builder’s body


However, one Pakistani journalist made sure that Sohail's near-perfect comeback was marred.

The 32-year-old attended a press conference at the end of the day, where he was accompanied by bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, who was acting as the translator to communicate with the media.

At the end of the press talk, the last question came from a Pakistani journalist, who felt the need to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude while asking Sohail why he doesn't learn English to communicate with international media.

Sohail’s haul ignites hope for Pakistan


Sohail was clearly shocked by the question, and all he could reply was that it was his first media talk, and he knows how to speak English as well.



For that journalist in particular, and for people like him, there needs to be a strict code of conduct to avoid insulting or humiliating a national hero on the basis of their language.

The journalist should also realise that not every superstar in the world speaks English, and it is the responsibility of the media to translate whatever he or she says at the press talk rather than the sportsperson learning a new language just for the press conference.

Players like Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Neymar never talk in English at any press conference. Proof may be seen below.




As far as Sohail is concerned, the audience and media need to tell him that Pakistan will remember him for all the hard work he put on the field for the team and for the country, and not for the number of languages he's fluent in.

COMMENTS (29)

Zain | 7 years ago | Reply This was your own London correspondent Mr.Nasim Dhakan. Hope strict action is taken against just jerks
Rollin & Trollin | 7 years ago | Reply In some countries, not knowing English is even considered a virtue, or sign of prestige of never being colonized by the British !!
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ