Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently shared some open stories regarding his interactions with former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi during their playing days.
Irfan Pathan revealed that Afridi frequently tried to upset him on the pitch and made a number of improper remarks.
The revelations caused a stir on social media, with former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria, an Afridi teammate, supporting Pathan’s assertions. Kaneria regarded Afridi as a player ‘who lacks dignity and decency’, mirroring Pathan’s feelings about their on-field fights.
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
During a chat on Lallantop, Pathan recounted how he confronted Afridi after growing frustrated with his behavior during a 2006 tour. The incident occurred while both teams were traveling on the same flight from Karachi to Lahore. An in-flight verbal spat between the two arch-rivals promised a tense and heated journey to Lahore.
“During the 2006 tour, we were flying from Karachi to Lahore. Both teams were travelling together. Afridi came and put his hand on my head and messed up my hair. He asked me, ‘How are you kid?'” Pathan said on Lallantop.
“I thought, since when did you become my father. He behaved like a child. I was neither talking to him nor saying anything. After this Afridi said some bad things to me. His seat was near mine,” he added.
“Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq was sitting with me then. I asked him what kind of meat is available here. He told me meat from different animals is available. After this I asked whether dog meat is available. Razzaq was surprised to hear me and said, ‘Hey Irfan, why are you saying this?” Pathan said.
“He (Afridi) has eaten dog meat, he has been barking for so long. After this Afridi could not say anything. If he said anything I would have said look he is barking more. After this he remained quiet for the entire flight. He understood from this incident that he would not be able to fight me verbally. That is why he never said anything to me again,” he added.
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