BCB warns women cricketers against speaking Urdu

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

Bangladesh Women are on a limited-over series visit to Pakistan and will play their first ODI on Sunday after having lost the T20I series 2-0 at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi.

According to the touring side’s manager Shafiqul Haq, skipper Salma Khatun had spoken a few phrases in Urdu during a media talk, upon which the BCB sought an explanation from the team management.

“We have been ordered to speak only Bengali or English during interviews or talks with anyone here,” Shafiq told The Express Tribune. “I have been asked to stay with the team wherever they go and translate their words in English.”

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

Keeping in line with the policy, the Bangladesh players and officials have been asked to abide by the rules and refrain from conversing in Urdu.