Indian cricket veteran Irfan Pathan has sharply escalated his ongoing feud with former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Pathan’s latest retort comes after Afridi’s recent outburst on Pakistani television, which saw him challenge Pathan to a direct, face-to-face debate. This fresh exchange revives a long-standing rivalry, particularly after Pathan’s earlier comments about a 2006 incident resurfaced. Pathan hinted at Afridi’s ‘obsession’ with him, recalling their many on-field battles where he famously dismissed Afridi nine times. The verbal jabs are intensifying amid the backdrop of heightened India-Pakistan cricket tensions, especially as the two nations prepare for their next Asia Cup showdown.
Afridi has responded to Irfan Pathan on the ‘dog meat’ comments made in an earlier interview (Images via X/Screengrab)
Just a day after Shahid Afridi’s fiery television appearance on Pakistani TV garnered widespread attention on social media, Irfan Pathan issued a sharp reply, subtly targeting the former Pakistan star without explicitly mentioning his name. In a concise social media update, Pathan declared, “Everyone is right: these ex-players and media from the neighbouring country are truly obsessed with Irfan Pathan’s name.” This ongoing verbal sparring between Afridi and Pathan, whose competitive clashes were legendary on the field, has now spilled over into digital platforms and commentary booths. Recently, Afridi, the former Pakistan all-rounder, publicly challenged Pathan to confront him directly. During his appearance on Pakistan’s Samaa TV, Afridi stated, “I consider a man to be a true competitor if he talks to my face. Anyone can talk behind my back, but I only respect those who face me. Then it would be truly exciting, and I could give a fitting reply.”
Social media post by Irfan Pathan seemingly referring to Shahid Afridi.
This isn’t the first time these two cricketing titans have exchanged heated words. Just last month, during an interview on a Lallantop podcast, Pathan recounted an amusing yet telling incident from the 2006 tour. He described how, while both teams were traveling from Karachi to Lahore, Afridi approached him, playfully ruffled his hair, and enquired about his well-being. Pathan, however, was not amused by the gesture. He delivered a swift and memorable response that silenced the Pakistan all-rounder. “Abdul Razzaq was seated beside me at the time,” Pathan recalled. “I asked him what varieties of meat were available there. He informed me that various animal meats were on offer. Following that, I provocatively asked if dog meat was available. Razzaq, taken aback, questioned my unusual query. I then gestured towards Afridi and quipped that he must have consumed dog meat, explaining his incessant ‘barking’.” Beyond their verbal jousts, their on-field encounters were equally intense. Throughout their careers, Pathan bowled 154 deliveries to Afridi, managing to dismiss him nine times – an impressive record of approximately one wicket every 17 balls. This escalating war of words is now amplified by the current political climate between India and Pakistan. The two cricketing powerhouses have already faced each other once in the ongoing Asia Cup and are set to meet again in the Super 4s stage, with a potential third clash in the final adding even more anticipation to their heated rivalry.