ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan said this week that he was “not ashamed” of his inability to speak English fluently, adding that only his ability to perform as a cricketer mattered at the end of the day. 

Rizwan, like several other Pakistani professional cricketers, had to choose the sport over education to pursue it as a full-time career. Fans have poked fun in the past at iconic Pakistani cricketers such as Javed Miandad, Inzamam ul Haq, Saeed Ajmal and others for their inability to speak English fluently. 

Since being appointed captain last year, Rizwan’s interactions with the media have increased. This has put his inability to speak English fluently with reporters from around the world in the spotlight. Cricket fans have poked fun at Rizwan with memes on the Internet while others have criticized him for not opting for a translator when speaking to the press in English. 

“I am proud that whatever I say, I say it from the heart and I tell the truth,” Rizwan said while speaking to reporters at a press conference in Karachi on Friday.

“But I am not even one percent ashamed that I am a Pakistani and I can’t speak English,” he added. 

The Pakistan captain said he regretted not completing his education, admitting that he could not express himself properly due to it. Rizwan said he advises young cricketers to pursue education so that they can express themselves properly unlike him. 

“My Pakistan at this time is demanding cricket from me,” Rizwan said. “It is not demanding English. If it wants English, I will leave cricket to become a professor, learn it and then return. But I don’t have time for that.”

Rizwan, who leads the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, will be seen in action on Saturday against the Karachi Kings. 

The third match of the PSL 2025 is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. in the southern port city of Karachi. 

Defending champions Islamabad United cruised to an eight-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in Rawalpindi in the PSL opener on Friday night.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy chief this week stressed the importance of maintaining combat readiness to counter conventional and non-conventional regional maritime threats, the navy said in a statement, appreciating the force’s efforts in acquiring the latest technologies and advanced platforms. 

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf chaired the Command & Staff Conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad on Friday. 

The Command & Staff Conference is the apex decision-making forum of the Pakistan Navy, where Ashraf, along with all principal staff officers and field commanders, review policies and strategic plans. 

“The Naval Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining perpetual combat readiness to effectively counter both traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime domain,” a statement by the navy said on Friday.

“He appreciated the navy’s efforts in acquiring advanced platforms and technologies, expressing confidence in its operational preparedness to safeguard Pakistan’s maritime frontiers.”

The navy said that participants of the conference assessed the evolving maritime situation in the region with a focus on national security, geostrategic affairs and combat readiness.

Ashraf commended the navy for successfully hosting the multinational AMAN-25 naval exercise and the AMAN Dialogue, underscoring their significance in fostering maritime collaboration among regional and extra-regional naval forces. 

“He noted that these initiatives reflect Pakistan’s commitment to cooperative maritime security, in line with the navy’s vision for a secure and stable maritime environment,” the navy said. 

Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with allies and friendly nations, conducting joint military exercises and other activities to enhance synergy, promote regional peace and stability, deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.