WATCH: Muhammad Rizwan chooses to speak in Urdu during toss

The Multan Sultans skipper was lauded for embracing his native language before the high-scoring match.

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In the third match of the 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), Multan Sultans captain Muhammad Rizwan won hearts by opting to speak in Urdu instead of English during the toss.

Rizwan, who also scored a remarkable unbeaten 105 in the high-scoring fixture at National Bank Stadium, stated before the toss: “I’ll speak in Urdu,” before giving his remarks in his native language.

The video of his gesture quickly went viral on social media, with fans and commentators applauding his use of Urdu in a formal setting, often dominated by English.

The decision has sparked a wider conversation around linguistic pride and inclusivity in Pakistani cricket.

In a pre-match press conference, Rizwan acknowledged the challenges of speaking English, saying he would now try to prioritise Urdu in interviews where possible.

Despite Rizwan’s standout innings, which featured nine fours and five sixes, the Sultans were edged out as Karachi’s James Vince led his side to victory with a 101-run knock off 43 balls.

Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen also drew attention online after posting a humorous comment post-match, saying “learnt something from Vince and Khushdil today!”