Cricket fans have been treated to a viral wave of funny video clips featuring some of the biggest names in Bangladeshi and Pakistani cricket attempting to speak English. Known more for their skill on the field, stars like Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, and Inzamam-ul-Haq have unintentionally become internet comedians with their amusing English mishaps. The clips showcase endearing language struggles and quirky phrases, providing fans worldwide with a good laugh and a reminder of the universal appeal of cricket.

Mohammad Rizwan

In one of the videos making the rounds, Pakistani star Mohammad Rizwan has endeared himself to fans with his unintentional humor during post-match interviews. Rizwan, known for his excellent form and commitment on the field, made a few funny slip-ups with phrases that left fans both laughing and admiring his down-to-earth charm.

Rizwan’s videos highlight the challenges of switching between languages under the pressure of the spotlight. Despite the linguistic hurdles, Rizwan’s humility and sincerity have won over fans and showcased his willingness to communicate and share his thoughts, regardless of the language barrier.

pic.twitter.com/Qq9hQOTHw5

— Love Lubana (@Gabba91Smudge) November 4, 2024

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq

Former Pakistani skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and cricket legend Inzamam-ul-Haq have also unintentionally provided comedy gold with their amusing English. Sarfaraz’s well-known mispronunciations have surfaced in multiple clips, with his attempts to respond in English going slightly off-course, making the moment even more memorable.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, a beloved figure in Pakistani cricket, also became a viral sensation for his famously unique choice of words. Known for his phrase "When I don’t stop the ball I am out, when I stop the ball I am out, I don’t know what’s the rule" Inzamam's expressions and attempts at communicating his points have taken on a life of their own online, immortalized by cricket fans who love his straightforward, if occasionally mixed-up, English.

When I don’t stop the ball I am out, when I stop the ball I am out, I don’t know what’s the rule 😂

Innocent yet so hilarious 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/H1epHPCRk5

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) September 20, 2024

Umar Akmal’s memorable language mishaps

Another unforgettable character in this viral trend is Umar Akmal. Known for his occasional slip-ups, Akmal has delivered some unforgettable lines, such as his use of “me, myself and I” in an interview, which had fans in stitches. In another clip, his confusion with certain phrases gave rise to numerous memes that circulated widely on social media. Akmal’s moments showcase the lighter side of cricket, reminding fans that even professional athletes can have humorous language blunders that connect with audiences.

These funny clips are a reminder of the players’ genuine personalities and their commitment to engaging with international audiences, even if it sometimes leads to viral comedy.

The rise of these videos has also sparked a warm response from cricket fans across social media. Many fans appreciate the light-hearted nature of these clips, viewing them as a refreshing break from the competitive tension of professional cricket. The videos have allowed fans to see another side of their cricketing heroes—a side that is relatable, humorous, and endearing.

Fans from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and around the globe have continued to share and celebrate these clips, with social media comments filled with light-hearted teasing and admiration for the players' efforts. In an era where sports personalities are expected to be polished and flawless, these clips remind audiences that even the biggest names in cricket are human, with unique quirks and personalities that transcend the language barrier.

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These viral videos of Pakistan and Bangladesh’s cricket stars continue to spread, giving fans plenty of laughs and allowing the players' personalities to shine beyond their performances on the field. As the clips continue to entertain audiences, it’s clear that cricket brings people together not only through its matches but through shared moments of humor and humanity.

In a thrilling second ODI at the Adelaide Oval, Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Haris Rauf’s phenomenal 5/29, tore through the Australian batting lineup to dismiss them for a mere 163. After winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bowl first—a decision that proved fruitful from the very beginning. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early, dismissing both Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk, placing Australia on the back foot right away.

The struggles for the Australian batsmen didn’t end there, as Pakistan’s bowling attack continued to put immense pressure. Rauf, who was in sensational form, swiftly picked up his second five-wicket haul in ODIs. He accounted for key players like Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, and Pat Cummins. His relentless pace and precision kept the Australian middle order from settling in, and Pakistan’s bowlers maintained their dominance throughout the innings.

Rizwan and Zampa’s lively DRS exchange

The game also saw a light-hearted moment between Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and Australian bowler Adam Zampa. Rizwan, who was exceptional behind the stumps with six catches, shared a comical exchange with Zampa. At one point, Rizwan asked, “Did you hear something?” to which Zampa responded, “You are appealing for everything?” Rizwan then inquired, “Should I take the review?” Zampa cheekily replied, “Yes, you should.” Rizwan proceeded with the review, only for the DRS to confirm a "not-out" decision, adding a memorable moment to an otherwise tense match.

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As the wickets kept tumbling, Zampa himself tried to keep Australia’s scoreboard ticking with some resistance. After being dropped by Rizwan, he went on to hit a six and a four off Naseem Shah, pushing his score to 17. But the efforts weren’t enough to save Australia from their collapse, with Pakistan’s disciplined bowling performance and Rizwan’s sharp fielding ensuring the hosts were all out for 163.

Rizwan: Did you hear something?

Zampa: You are appealing for everything?

Rizwan: Should I take the review?

Zampa: Yes, you should

- Rizwan takes the review and DRS says Not-out.

RIZWAN 🤝 ZAMPA 😄🔥 pic.twitter.com/79RE2MaIPN

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 8, 2024

Pakistan’s commanding position in the series

This bowling performance places Pakistan in a commanding position in the three-match series, especially with such a low target to chase. Rauf’s exceptional five-wicket haul, Afridi’s early breakthroughs, and Rizwan’s brilliant performance behind the stumps not only boosted Pakistan’s morale but also exposed Australia’s batting vulnerabilities against high-quality pace bowling. With Pakistan looking to seal the series, Australia now faces the uphill task of rethinking their approach in the final ODI.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the complete white-ball squads for the upcoming Australia and Zimbabwe tour. The Pakistan men’s national cricket team will now play under the new captain in the upcoming overseas tours.  

Early this month, Babar Azam stepped down from the white-ball captaincy role of the Pakistan national cricket team, citing his workload issue as he wants to put more focus on his batting.

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Mohammad Rizwan is Pakistan's new ODI and T20I captain

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the Pakistan ODI and T20I captain. He will lead the Pakistan white-ball teams in the ODI and T20I series in the upcoming Australia and Zimbabwe tour, except for the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where he has been rested.

In the Australia tour, Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series, starting on November 4. Then, Pakistan will travel to Zimbabwe for another three-match ODI and T20I series, starting on November 24. 

Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who were rested for the last two matches of the recently concluded three-match home Test series against England, are ready for the Australia tour as all of them are present in both ODI and T20I squads of the tour. However, they have been rested from the Zimbabwe tour. 

Salman Agha will lead T20I team in Zimbabwe 

After leading Pakistan in three successive away white-ball series, ODI and T20I series in Australia and ODI series in Zimbabwe, Mohammad Rizwan will be rested from the T20I series in Zimbabwe. While Salman Agha will play the deputy role of Rizwan in these three straight white-ball series, he will play the captain role of the T20I squad in the Zimbabwe tour. 

Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, and Haseebullah are the uncapped players in the ODI squads. Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub. Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha are the non-debutant names in the T20I squads. 

After these two tours, Pakistan will travel to South Africa for a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series, and a two-match Test series.   

Pakistan squads for Australia tour 

ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain and wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi

T20I squad: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain and wk), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan

Pakistan squads for Zimbabwe tour

ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain and wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir

T20I squad: Salman Agha (Captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan

Pakistan cricket is bracing for a significant leadership change as star batter Babar Azam is likely to be removed as the white-ball captain ahead of the away series against Australia in November. The decision comes after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where the team failed to qualify for the semi-finals, ultimately leading to Babar relinquishing his captaincy in all formats.

Babar's struggles and new leadership direction

Despite being reinstated as white-ball captain before the T20 World Cup 2024 under the new management led by Mohsin Naqvi, Babar was unable to guide the team to success. Pakistan suffered defeats to the USA and India, resulting in an early exit from the tournament. Babar’s personal form as a batter also became a point of concern, with his leadership questioned after the recent Test series against Bangladesh. Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is seriously considering removing Babar from his leadership role to allow him to focus solely on his batting.

According to reports from Geo News, the PCB is contemplating elevating wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to the captaincy for all three formats. Rizwan has demonstrated strong leadership qualities in domestic competitions, most notably guiding the Multan Sultans to back-to-back finals in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Mohammad Rizwan poised for captaincy across all formats

Further signaling the shift in leadership, Rizwan was recently appointed as one of the captains in the newly launched Champions One Day Cup, a domestic tournament aimed at identifying future cricketing talents in Pakistan. While senior players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Haris were also named captains, Babar was notably absent from the leadership list, hinting at the PCB's diminishing confidence in his captaincy.

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It is believed that Babar was informed of the decision as early as July, following consultations between the PCB and white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten. The official announcement is expected when Pakistan reveals their squad for the Australia series, set to begin on November 4, 2024.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to star players Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan for their participation in the Global T20 Canada. This decision was confirmed in an official statement from the board, which followed consultations with the players and the national selection committee. The move comes just a week after the PCB similarly denied an NOC to Naseem Shah for the Hundred, where he was signed by the Birmingham Phoenix.

“The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for the Global T20 event, amongst other players. After taking into consideration Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025, which includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and following consultations with the three players as well as the national selection committee, it has been decided to decline their requests,” PCB said in a statement.

Focus on international schedule and workload management

The PCB cited Pakistan’s busy international schedule as a key factor in their decision. With the trio playing significant roles across all formats, their presence will be crucial for Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures, which include nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is over the next eight months.

The board emphasized that the decision was made in the best interest of managing player workload and ensuring peak performance for crucial international matches.

“PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds…”

From October 2024 to May 2025, Pakistan’s packed schedule features series against England, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the West Indies, culminating in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.

“The three are all-format cricketers, and their services are expected to be required in the upcoming eight months during which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is. As such, and in line with the PCB’s workload management policy, it is in the best interest of Pakistan Cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada so that they are in their best mental and physical shape for the season, which commences with the two-Test series against Bangladesh,” the statement added.

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“Earlier, the PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds,” the PCB said in the statement.

“In the meantime, the PCB has approved NOCs for Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz. The four players are predominantly white-ball cricketers, while Iftikhar and Nawaz are centrally contracted players,” the statement concluded.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan scripted history during the second T20I match against New Zealand in Rawalpindi, becoming the fastest batsman to reach 3000 runs in Twenty20 international cricket.

Fastest to 3000 Runs: Rizwan’s Remarkable Milestone

During the match against New Zealand, Mohammad Rizwan achieved the milestone of 3000 runs in T20 internationals, making him the fastest player to reach this feat. He accomplished this remarkable milestone in just 79 innings, showcasing his consistency and dominance in the shortest-game format.

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Rizwan vs. Babar and Kohli: Breaking the Record

Rizwan’s achievement surpasses the records set by his skipper, Babar Azam, and Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli. While both Azam and Kohli reached the 3000-run mark in 81 T20I innings, Rizwan’s feat in 79 innings solidifies his position as one of the most prolific batters in modern cricket.

Pakistan’s Victory: Dominance at Rawalpindi

Following the rain-marred first match, Pakistan bounced back strongly in the second T20I, securing a comprehensive victory against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Led by stellar performances from Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir with the ball, Pakistan restricted New Zealand to a meagre total of 90 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten innings of 45 runs guided Pakistan to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Rizwan’s performance contributed to Pakistan’s win and marked his record-breaking achievement of reaching 3000 runs in T20 internationals in just 79 innings.

Mohammad Rizwan’s feat of becoming the fastest batsman to reach 3000 runs in T20 internationals is a testament to his skill, determination, and consistency on the cricket field. His record-breaking achievement adds to his personal accolades and strengthens Pakistan’s batting lineup in the T20 format.

In the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, it appears that former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is likely to lose his opening slot. The opening pair is expected to be Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, as per reports from Auckland, indicating a shift in strategy. During practice sessions, Rizwan and Saim were seen facing new ball bowlers, while Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman focused on spinners in separate nets.

The newly appointed captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with the new high-performance coach Yasir Arafat and team director Muhammad Hafeez, seem keen on experimenting with fresh strategies in the T20I series. Despite the potential change, it’s worth noting that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been successful openers for Pakistan since 2021.

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Babar Azam is expected to bat at number three, followed by Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s vice-captain for T20Is ahead of the New Zealand tour, starting from January 12. This move is part of the team’s preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA, scheduled from June 1-29.

Rizwan, expressing his gratitude for the role, mentioned his excitement to work closely with the captain, coaching staff, and teammates to contribute to the team’s success. With 85 T20I appearances since his debut in 2015, Rizwan has accumulated 2,797 runs, including one century and 25 half-centuries. He has also been efficient behind the stumps, taking 41 catches and executing 11 stumpings.

Pakistan squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.

Wahab Riaz, previously appointed as the Sports Minister for Punjab (Lahore), has now assumed the role of chief selector for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This appointment follows the resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector after the disappointing performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup and allegations of conflict of interest.

Despite announcing his international retirement, the left-arm pacer expressed his commitment to continue participating in franchise cricket. With 27 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 36 T20Is for Pakistan, Riaz’s most recent national team appearance was in December 2020.

In a statement, Wahab Riaz conveyed his gratitude to Chairman PCB Management Committee, Mr Zaka Ashraf, for entrusting him with the responsibility of chairing the national men’s selection committee.

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Riaz’s initial task will be to assemble a team for Pakistan’s upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, followed by a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This announcement coincides with Mohammad Hafeez’s appointment as the team’s new director.

Wahab Riaz commended the decision to involve former players in cricketing matters and expressed his dedication to contribute to the improvement of Pakistan cricket. Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Australia tour and the T20I series against New Zealand, he outlined his goal of selecting well-rounded squads based on the top performers in domestic cricket.

Collaborating closely with Pakistan Men’s Team Director Mohammad Hafeez, Riaz highlighted their joint efforts for the success of Pakistan cricket. He pledged to prioritize feedback and advice for players, with the overarching goal of developing a formidable unit leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June next year.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly requested that Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan delete his tweet in which he dedicated Pakistan’s World Cup victory over Sri Lanka to the people of Gaza.

Mohammad Rizwan played a remarkable innings, scoring an unbeaten 131 runs off 121 balls, including three sixes and eight boundaries, to help Pakistan chase down a target of 345 runs. The victory was achieved with six wickets and 10 balls to spare.

In his tweet, Rizwan expressed, “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute to the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the people of Hyderabad for their hospitality and support following the record-breaking victory against Sri Lanka on October 11.

The PCB Had Asked Mohammad Rizwan To Delete his Tweet

After dedicating his century to the people of Gaza, Rizwan faced criticism from some members of the cricketing community. Notably, an Indian lawyer named Vineet Jain filed a complaint against Rizwan for his on-field namaz. Despite the backlash, Rizwan chose to keep his tweet intact.

Both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had reportedly requested that Mohammad Rizwan remove his tweet dedicated to the people of Gaza. However, Rizwan firmly refused to comply with their request. This tweet stirred significant attention and sparked discussions on various social media platforms.

A user on the platform X reported, “The ICC and BCCI had asked Mohammad Rizwan to delete his tweet in which Rizwan dedicated Pakistan’s World Cup victory against Sri Lanka to the people of Gaza. Rizwan stood by his decision not to delete the tweet.”

Rizwan’s outstanding performance in the tournament is evident as he scored 359 runs in 7 innings with an impressive average of 71.80 and a moderate strike rate of 98.90. He managed to secure a century and a half-century in the competition, making him the top run-scorer for his country in the 10-team marquee tournament.

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Pakistan successfully chased down and won the match against Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the 8th match of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. However, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first.

While Pathum Nissanka scored a fifty, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed centuries and helped Sri Lanka post a decent total of 344. Hasan Ali claimed 4 for 71. While chasing, although Pakistan lost quick wickets, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan smashed centuries and sealed the deal.

Who said what after the match?

Babar Azam: “All credit to the boys, especially Abdullah and Rizwan, the way they built the partnership and put pressure on Sri Lanka. We weren’t up to the mark in the first 20-30 overs. All credit to Mendis, he played an outstanding knock. We finished well, all credit to the bowlers. (On Shafique) Very happy with the way he’s playing. This is his first World Cup. His hunger to play, I saw him in the nets so I decided to play him. The way Rizwan and Abdullah built the partnership, they helped us. We believed and built partnerships. Thank you so much (Hyderabad crowd) for supporting us throughout the one and a half weeks.”

Dasun Shanaka: “Mendis is in another zone, played an unbelievable knock in the practice game, scored 70+ in the first game and a brilliant hundred here. More to come. Sadeera is playing really well. We should have finished a bit stronger than this. We were 20-25 runs short on this wicket. Credit to them, they were bowling really good slower balls. I can’t ask too much from them (bowlers). We have given them simple plans. We need to be concerned about the extras as well. We gave too many extras. We had our chances in the field as well, we missed a lot today.”

Mohammad Rizwan, who won the Player of the Match, said: “Always a proud moment for me whenever you perform for your country. I am speechless at this moment. It was difficult. The thing was that after the bowling innings we went back and everyone was confident. Unluckily, they got Babar Azam early but we got good partnerships after that. It’s a good track, was supporting to us. I told Shafique to take it step by step. Sometimes cramps and sometimes I was okay (chuckles).”