MULTAN, Nov 23: Pakistan is for the first time promoting the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-racism code at its Test venues - but in a language alien to a majority of the population.

In a country where hardly 20 percent of the population can speak or write English, English-language banners and posters outlining the code are displayed at the Multan stadium, where the second test is being played against the West Indies.

“We are taking the anti-racism code as seriously as the anti-doping measures, although we have not had complaints of racist behaviour at our venues,” Saleem Altaf, director of cricket operations, told Reuters on Thursday.

“These are steps to ensure people are aware of the serious penalties they could face if caught indulging in racist or insulting behaviour,” he said.—Reuters