Irfan Pathan, the former all-rounder for India, recently shared some frank stories about his interactions with Shahid Afridi, the former captain of Pakistan, when they were playing together. Pathan disclosed that Shahid Afridi made a number of offensive remarks and frequently attempted to agitate him on the pitch.
Shahid Afridi partner, former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria, supported Pathan’s assertions after the allegations created a stir on social media. Kaneria echoed Pathan’s assessment of their on-field conflicts when he called Afridi a player “who lacks class and decency.”
Irfan @IrfanPathan bhai, you’re absolutely right. He always resorts to personal attacks—be it on someone’s family or their religion. Class and decency clearly aren’t his strengths.pic.twitter.com/nWOEA3vz49
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) August 17, 2025
In a conversation on Lallantop, Irfan Pathan described how, during a 2006 trip, he became irate with Afridi’s actions and confronted him.
Both teams were on the same flight from Karachi to Lahore when the event happened. The two bitter rivals’ verbal altercation in flight foreshadowed a stressful and contentious trip to Lahore.
“We were flying from Karachi to Lahore for the 2006 tour. Together, the two teams were travelling. Afridi arrived, messed up my hair, and put his palm on my head. ‘How are you, kid?’ he enquired. On Lallantop, Pathan stated.
“When did you become my father, I wondered? He was acting like a kid. I wasn’t saying anything or conversing with him. Afridi said some hurtful things to me after this. He said, “His seat was close to mine.”
During the tour, Irfan said he spoke with Abdul Razzaq, a Pakistani all-rounder, and enquired about the types of meat that were offered in the city. He was reassured by Razzaq’s kind reply.
Abdul Razzaq, a Pakistani all-rounder, was seated next to me at the time. What kind of meat is available here? I questioned him. He informed me that there is meat available from a variety of animals. I then enquired about the availability of dog meat. Razzaq exclaimed, “Hey Irfan, why are you saying this?” when he heard me, startled. “Pathan said.”
“Afridi has been barking for a very long time, and he has consumed dog meat. Afridi was unable to speak after this. I would have said, “Look, he’s barking more,” if he had spoken. He was silent the rest of the flight after this. This experience made him realise that he couldn’t argue with me verbally. He said, “That’s why he never spoke to me again.”
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