'The former cricketers take my name....' - Irfan Pathan blasts Shahid Afridi after India's recent win against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan criticized ex-Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi for speaking ill of him in the media after India's six-wicket win over Pakistan in the second Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21. India won the match on the arm of Abhishek Sharma's brilliant half-century. However, the discussion was quickly shifted toward Pathan speaking to how Afridi and other former players from Pakistan constantly drag his name in media discussions. 

The Baroda-born all-rounder stated that repeatedly former Pakistan players mention his name on television programs and social media in a derogatory fashion to attract attention. Pathan also stated that while he does not approve of those actions, if those actions help feed their families and provide for their families, then he is happy for them. In addition, he pointed out that multiple of them appear on national news programs solely to speak against him and to turn his name into a vehicle for unnecessary attention.

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“Whoever these former cricketers from the neighbouring nation (Pakistan) make shows on my name in the media, keep doing it. You earn from it, you are able to feed your family through my name, so I am happy, honestly. I am not making any taunts here. And if you look in the media, they make many shows using my name. The former cricketers take my name on their social media handles. Some of them go on news channels and talk rubbish about me,” said Pathan in a video on his YouTube Channel.

We will definitely bite you back: Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan remarked that Indians usually do not pay much attention to the outcomes of other teams’ matches unless India is directly involved. He highlighted this by recalling how neither he nor any Indian cricketers publicly reacted or tweeted when Pakistan suffered a shocking defeat to Zimbabwe during the 2022 T20 World Cup. Pathan stressed that, in general, Indian fans and players seldom concern themselves with the failures of other nations. However, he cautioned that while Indians prefer to stay indifferent, they will not hesitate to respond strongly if provoked or unnecessarily targeted in public discussions or media narratives.

“We Indians, on the other hand, don't even talk about any other team when India isn't playing. Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Neither I nor any Indian cricketer tweeted about it on social media, because we actually don't care at all. Whether Pakistan or any other team wins or loses, we do not care. We only talk about it when Pakistan plays against India and even criticize our shortcomings, but don't care about your team. If you come and poke us, we will definitely bite you back,” said Pathan.