Overview

• Irfan Pathan’s August interview with The Lallantop went viral after he accused Pakistan of acting as self-appointed guardians of Muslims and misusing the religion of Islam.
• Pathan reignited his personal feud with Shahid Afridi by recalling a 2006 in-flight ‘dog meat’ jibe and noting that he dismissed Afridi 11 times, including a golden duck in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.
• Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria endorsed Pathan’s account on X, accusing Afridi of resorting to personal attacks and lacking class and decency.
• No public response has come from Shahid Afridi or official statements from the PCB or BCCI following the exchange.
• The dispute has become a talking point in India–Pakistan cricket discourse as both teams prepare to face each other on September 14 in Dubai during the Asia Cup 2025.