‘Mujhe bade bando ne kaha tu English seekh le’ – Former Pakistan Cricketer opens up on being mocked for not knowing English

Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal was one of the best spinners in the world during his playing days but he was still subjected to mockery for his failure to speak good English. And he was not the only one among the long list of Pakistan cricketers who would make a fool of themselves by speaking foul English on live television. But Ajmal is the most talked about person with his videos speaking to Nasser Hussain—close to ten years ago, are still widely circulated on social media.

For the first time, Ajmal revealed how he alongside other Pakistan cricketers was judged because of their English and not their skill levels. The former Pakistan cricketer used the opportunity and poured his heart out.

“Jab mai world number one bana, mujhe bade bando ne kaha ki tu English sikh le, maine kaha meri marzi bhai, mai jo marzi karu. (When I became world number one, some people asked me to learn English and I told them I will do what I want, he told Crickwick podcast.)

“Agar apko meri mother language mai interview karna hai to karo, aur mai shy nahi hu aur na hi hona chiye.” (If you want to speak in my mother language, then go ahead. I wasn’t shy at all for speaking Urdu.)

“Hume English nahi ati, pur jo hum kar rahey hai, duniya dekh rahi hai, I am world number one.”

Over the years, Pakistan cricketers have been judged on their English across the world. Viral videos of now PCB chief Ramiz Raja laughing at Inzamam while interviewing him had gone viral in the past on social media. Several fans and comedians regularly roast Pakistan cricketers; some of them are also meme materials.

I am world number one, the world will come to me : Saeed Ajmal

“I am world number one, the world will come to me, I have no reason to go and ask for interviews. English language, I hate that word,” added Ajmal.

Ajmal made his ODI debut for Pakistan in July 2008 at the age of 30 and played his first Test a year later. In 2009 he was reported for having a suspect bowling action, but after being cleared he helped Pakistan win the 2009 20-20 World Cup. Ajmal also played for Worcestershire as an overseas player in English domestic cricket in 2011.

From November 2011 to December 2014, Ajmal was ranked as the number-one bowler in ODIs. He achieved the same feat in T20Is as well between October and December 2012, while his highest Test ranking was second between January and July of the same year.