Watch: Shoaib Bashir Shares Hilarious Banter with Mohammad Rizwan

Recently, England spinners Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed discussed their ability to communicate in Urdu and how they attempted to understand the Pakistani team's mid-match speech. Additionally, Bashir revealed a humorous story about Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan's wicketkeeper. 

In the current England-Pakistan Test series, Bashir—who has taken six wickets and made a big impact—was the target of some cunning behind-the-stumps techniques. He acknowledged that while he may not be very adept at speaking Urdu, he is able to grasp everything when Pakistani players are speaking during the Multan Test. Funny enough, the hosts' wicketkeeper, Rizwan, displayed his slyness by assuring his teammates that Bashir knew Urdu when he went to bat.

Shoaib Bashir reveals BTS from Multan Test:

Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir have been using their Urdu skills in Pakistan, sometimes to the team's benefit! 💬🤣#BBCCricket #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/TEqu09tB2B

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) October 22, 2024

He then instructed his teammates to begin speaking Pashto in an attempt to deceive the English spinner of Pakistani descent. Interestingly, it is one of the regional languages used in the Asian country. In a conversation with BBC, Bashir revealed, "I can understand everything and I can reply, but it’s a bit broken. Sometimes the Pakistan team are speaking in their own language and we’re trying to get hints. I’ll go to Ben Stokes and say ‘he’s going to slog it over mid-wicket. I went out to bat, Mohammad Rizwan was behind the stumps and he likes talking. As soon as I went out he said ‘This guy understands Urdu, let's speak Pashto’, and I had no idea what was being said." 

Despite having a warm place in his heart for Pakistan, Shoaib Bashir, whose mother was born in the UK and whose parents are from Pakistan, stated that his primary allegiance is to England. Although both athletes were born in England, they had strong Pakistani ties and acknowledged knowing some Urdu.

Rehan stated, "My Urdu is not too bad. It’s all right. I can try to hold a conversation, but it would be a bit mixed. I can understand everything." Meanwhile, Bashir added, "I was born in England, so I’ve always been an England fan. Whenever Pakistan played India or whoever, I supported Pakistan. I loved watching the Ashes and highlights of England cricket. Pakistan was my second team."

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