Cricket Speaks Urdu: ICC makes history with native language broadcast for T20 World Cup 2026
Cricket Speaks Urdu: ICC makes history with native language broadcast for T20 World Cup 2026
By Nawaz Gohar: In a landmark move for international sports broadcasting, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially introduced Urdu commentary for the first time in the history of major ICC events.
This strategic initiative aims to provide a more immersive and personalized viewing experience for millions of Urdu-speaking fans globally, particularly within Pakistan.
The historic debut took place during Pakistan’s opening match against the Netherlands. Fans tuning in were greeted by the familiar and legendary voices of Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, and Bazid Khan, who transitioned from the global English feed to provide live analysis and play-by-play descriptions in Urdu.
To ensure the highest quality of broadcast, the ICC has inducted four iconic former Pakistani cricketers into its official panel: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Ramiz Raja and Bazid Khan.
These experts will perform dual roles, contributing to the world feed in English while spearheading the dedicated Urdu feed during Pakistan’s fixtures. In Pakistan, the Urdu commentary is being aired live on the state broadcaster, PTV Sports, and is also available across various authorized digital streaming platforms.
The inclusion of Urdu is part of a broader multilingual strategy by the ICC to diversify its audience reach. For the 2026 edition, the ICC is offering commentary in four distinct languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, and Nepali.
This development comes as 20 teams compete in the joint-hosted tournament by India and Sri Lanka. With a total of 55 matches scheduled, culminating in the grand final on March 8, the addition of native language feeds is expected to significantly boost viewership and engagement across the South Asian subcontinent.
By bringing the “language of the heart” to the “game of the people,” the ICC has set a new standard for inclusivity in global cricket.
