In a rare moment of sportsmanship between India and Pakistan cricketers, Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik were seen sharing a brief side-hug after an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Pakistan batted first and scored 56 for 4 in four overs. Shoaib Malik led the scoring with 34 runs, while Imran Nazir added 16 runs. The short match saw quick scoring from both sides.

India replied with 51 for 4 and fell five runs short of the target. Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny were at the crease when the match ended. After the game, the players shook hands and exchanged friendly words with the Pakistan team.

Watch the video here:

🚨AFTER SEE RESPECT INCREASE FOR SURYAKUMAR YADAV. 🚨

- During the Legends League,
Irfan boycotted Pak and earned massive respect.

Now the same Irfan is seen hugging and shaking hands with them on camera.🤡
On X patriotism & ground bhaichara pic.twitter.com/gnusj5ZroG

— Sam (@Cricsam01) January 23, 2026

India–Pakistan Cricket Ties Hit a New Low

The cricket relationship between India and Pakistan has worsened and gone beyond normal rivalry. It has now turned into silence and tension. After the Pahalgam terror attack in early 2025, the situation became more serious and directly affected cricket during the Asia Cup.

The Indian team broke a long-standing tradition by refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players. This was not a sudden or emotional reaction. It was a clear and planned decision. The same stand was seen across all levels of Indian cricket, including the men’s, women’s, and Under-19 teams.

See also -“I’m a Big Fan of His Style,” Sarfaraz Khan credits former Indian captain after scoring a Ranji double century

On-Field Gestures Add to the Tension

Matters became worse due to aggressive actions on the field. During a big match, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf made a ‘plane crash’ gesture, which many linked to recent regional conflicts. In response, India’s Jasprit Bumrah made a similar gesture after taking a wicket. Some Pakistani players, including Sahibzada Farhan, were also seen doing mock ‘AK-47 firing’ celebrations, which many felt referred to the Pahalgam attack.

The situation reached an embarrassing level during the trophy presentation. Indian players did not acknowledge PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Reports later claimed that the trophy was removed from the stage early, and the tournament ended without a proper closing ceremony.

Later, a video of Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny sharing a friendly moment with Pakistani players went viral on social media. This led to criticism from some fans, who were unhappy with the gesture given the tense situation between the two countries.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned Abhishek Sharma’s intent and awareness during the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday, October 31. Pathan acknowledged that Abhishek batted brilliantly during the powerplay but felt the youngster failed to maintain the same tempo once the field restrictions were lifted.

After Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh opted to bowl first, India had a rough start, losing four wickets inside the powerplay. Five of the top six batters were dismissed for single-digit scores. However, Abhishek stood firm, scoring freely and keeping India’s innings alive. Harshit Rana was promoted up the order and added a valuable 56-run stand with the left-hander. Despite this partnership, Abhishek hardly faced the strike, just 13 balls during their 47-ball partnership. India got bowled out for 125, in 18.4 overs, with Abhishek top scoring with 68 runs in 37 balls with eight fours and two sixes. Australia easily chased the target in 13.2 overs with a final score of four wickets.

Pathan praised Abhishek’s half-century but pointed out where he could have shown better game sense. “Abhishek Sharma once again showed that while everyone else seemed to be batting on one pitch, he was batting on another. It was a brilliant half-century, a superb innings, but if you look closely, you’ll notice it had two parts. During the powerplay, he batted beautifully, but after it ended, he should have continued with the same intent and awareness, which he didn’t,” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Pathan Urges Abhishek to Show Better Game Awareness

Pathan further explained that Abhishek needed to take charge during his partnership with Harshit Rana and ensure he faced more deliveries. “Harshit did his job. He ensured the team didn’t lose another wicket and managed a decent 35-run knock. As a lower-order batter, that’s all you can ask for. You can talk about strike rate later, but he did what was required. Now, what was Abhishek Sharma’s responsibility there? The powerplay went well, he played freely, and even when wickets fell around him, he stayed composed. But during that stand, most of the strike went to Harshit Rana, Abhishek faced only 14 balls out of 47. That’s where he needed to take charge. No doubt he’s India’s No. 1 T20 batter at the moment, but he must show better game awareness,” Pathan added.

See Also: 'I’m Fully Recovered' - Rishabh Pant shares major fitness update ahead of South Africa Test series

The former all-rounder’s comments highlight that while Abhishek’s form and confidence are impressive, maintaining intent beyond the powerplay will be key for India’s batting depth and success in upcoming matches.

India opener Rohit Sharma faced an unusual challenge with the bat in the ongoing second ODI against Australia in Adelaide, drawing a candid remark from 2007 T20 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan. Australia, after winning the toss, chose to field first in the three-match series, putting India into bat.

Rohit, making his return to international cricket after 220 days, had a slow start against the Australian pacers. He struggled to score freely early on, surviving the probing spell from Josh Hazlewood, and was on 14 off 40 balls at one stage. His cautious approach reflected the pressure of coming back after a long break and recovering from a low score of 8 runs in the series opener.

The veteran batsman, however, gradually got into his rhythm. He hit two sixes off Mitchell Owen in the 19th over and reached a half-century off 74 balls, showcasing his experience and temperament. Irfan Pathan took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight Rohit’s rare struggle against the white-ball: "Never seen Rohit Sharma get beaten or struggle so much, but this half-century should give him much-needed confidence."

Never seen Rohit sharma got beaten or struggled so much but this half century should give him much needed confidence.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 23, 2025

ALSO SEE: IND vs AUS 2nd ODI: Rohit Sharma OUT, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood combine to stop him

Rohit Sharma’s Crucial Partnership and Struggle Highlight India’s Fightback

Rohit’s innings was pivotal as he shared a 118-run partnership with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer for the third wicket, stabilizing India’s innings after early setbacks. Yet, he couldn’t convert his start into a bigger score. Mitchell Starc broke through in the 30th over, dismissing Rohit with a short-pitched delivery. Rohit attempted a pull shot but was caught by Hazlewood at long leg, finishing on 73 runs off 97 balls, with two sixes and seven fours.

At that point, India were 143/3 after 31 overs, with Shreyas Iyer unbeaten on 56 off 72 balls and Axar Patel on 2 off 4 balls. With the series currently at 0-1 in favor of Australia, the second ODI has become crucial for India.

Despite his struggles, Rohit’s innings offered confidence for the remainder of the series, proving that even the most accomplished batsmen sometimes need time to find their rhythm. His performance will be key as India aims to bounce back in the series decider.

Former India player and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu turned 62 on October 20, and wishes poured in from all corners of the cricketing world. Among them, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan sent a special post wishing Sidhu on social media, saying he had great admiration and love for the veteran. Sidhu, being himself, shot back with a tearful note that quickly went viral.

The two cricket commentators have been loved by fans for their entertaining commentary and friendly banter. Sidhu and Pathan have made audiences laugh, think, and appreciate cricket in a different way. No matter how controversial or critical of the crew they are, they impressed fans with their charm and deep understanding of the game.

Posting his birthday wish on X (formerly Twitter), Pathan said, "Subah Jalandhar sham ko Delhi Nahi. Shamko mere Ghar pe apka birthday sath me. @sherryontopp Paaji wishing you the best birthday. Have a great one."

Sidhu's Heartwarming Reply Wins Fans Over

Sidhu, a person with a poetic spirit and a positive vibe, responded with love, saying, "Zaroor Irfan, tum No.1 commentator ho aur No.1 insaan ho. Your wishes are my armour... truckloads of love." His emotional words reflected the deep mutual respect between the two. Pathan later replied, “Apka pyaar hamesha bana rahe,” showing the bond they share both on and off the field.

Zaroor Irfan , tum no 1 commentator ho aur no 1 insaan ho …. Your wishes are my armour … truckloads of love 🥰

— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) October 20, 2025

See Also: 'Pyar Aur Roshni Se Bhari Ye Diwali' – Shikhar Dhawan and girlfriend Sophie Shine celebrate diwali together

Navjot Singh Sidhu played for India between 1983 and 1999, appearing in 51 Tests and 156 ODIs and scoring 3202 and 4413 runs, respectively. Irfan Pathan, however, appeared in 29 Tests, 120 ODIs, and 24 T20Is and scored 2821 runs and took 301 wickets overall. Despite being from different eras of cricket, their friendship as Indian Premier League as well as international cricket commentary is still making fans around the world happy.

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan brutally criticized Shreyas Iyer and advised BCCI to drop the batter from the team. On a live show during the India vs Australia 1st ODI match, Pathan, through a video, explained how poor Iyer's technique was against the short deliveries. 

At the Optus Stadium, under a heavy sky and rain threats, India lost their top-order batters in short intervals. Captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Iyer were all outclassed by the Australian pace attack. When Iyer came into the crease, India was already on the back foot, suffocating for some room to breathe. Indian cricket fans and experts had a huge amount of expectations on the batter. In the recent few matches, he performed well with the bat as well. 

Viewers noticed that Shreyas slightly upgraded his batting stance. Against Aussie pacers, on a bouncy track, his batting stance was more open. Before that match, Iyer was spotted with head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel in the nets. After all the preparations, the reality proved very harsh for the right-handed batsman. 

Read More: [WATCH] India dismiss Travis Head with superb planning during AUS vs IND 1st ODI

Irfan Pathan criticised Shreyas Iyer 

On a short, quick delivery, Iyer lost his wicket without adding any significant runs to team India's run tally. Experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood launched a short pitch delivery on the body of the batter. Iyer was absolutely surprised and had no clue how to face the ball. He somehow tried to push the ball on the leg but got only an edge, which went behind the stumps. Diving on the left side, Josh Philippe took a beautiful catch to dismiss Shreyas Iyer. 

In the studio Irfan Pathan exposed how weak Iyer's batting strategy was for bouncy surfaces. "Shreyas Iyer's batting technique against short balls is worse than club-level batters; he is not capable of batting on Australian pitches. Team India should drop him," Pathan opined.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is Sri Lanka's top Twenty20 competition and has developed rapidly since it began in 2020. It provides opportunities for young Sri Lankans to play with seasoned international cricketers, making it a thrilling and competitive atmosphere. Its short and rapid nature makes it with an audience in Sri Lanka and worldwide.

In a major boost for the LPL, Indian cricketers are going to feature in the tournament for the first time ever in its history in the 2025 season. However, some Indian players had already featured in the first season of the LPL in 2020 after retiring from international cricket. Their participation back then added experience and star value to the tournament. Now, more retired Indian stars are expected to bring excitement and guidance to young Sri Lankan players.

The LPL 2025 edition will take place from December 1 to December 23, 2025. There will be 24 matches played in three Sri Lankan venues: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. The addition of Indian players is expected to draw more spectators, enhance the level of competition, and provide an opportunity for young players to learn from veteran cricketers.

Indian Players of Previous LPL Seasons

Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan represented the Kandy Tuskers during the inaugural season of the LPL in 2020. The ex-India all-rounder, who had the capability to bat as well as bowl at pace from the left arm, contributed much experience to the team. He led junior players and supported the team with both bat and ball. Pathan featured in three matches, made 54 runs, and did not make any wickets.

Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel also played for the Kandy Tuskers in 2020. The fast bowler last played international cricket in 2018 but came back to the team to share experience and control with the bowling. He played four games and taken three wickets. Despite limited games, he assisted in guiding the young bowlers and provided stability to the team.

Manpreet Gony

Manpreet Gony, a medium-fast bowler with the right arm, represented the Colombo Stars in 2020. He had retired from Indian cricket in 2019 and contributed experience from domestic leagues to the team. Gony represented the team once, took one wicket, and conceded 42 runs. His contribution helped stabilize the bowling attack and assist the less experienced players in the team.

See Also: 'Surgery Gives Me Hope' - Glenn Maxwell eyes surprise comeback for India-Australia T20I series

Sudeep Tyagi

Sudeep Tyagi joined the Dambulla Viiking team in 2020 after retiring from Indian cricket. The former fast bowler for India added to the team's bowling options and continued mentoring core group young players. Tyagi played three matches, but did not take any wickets.

Manvinder Bisla

Manvinder Bisla, a former keeper-batsman, was drafted by the Colombo Kings for the 2020 season but dropped out before playing a single game. Moreover, Manvinder Bisla played 7 games in the 2012 IPL season for KKR, scoring 213 runs with a strike rate of 133.12 and an average of 30.42. Yet, his most significant performance came in the final match against Chennai Super Kings, in which he scored 89 runs from 48 balls to seal a match-winning score for Kolkata Knight Riders. This key knock contributed towards Kolkata Knight Riders' first IPL championship. He was given the Man of the Match for his great performance during the final.

Irfan Pathan tried to show both sides of a coin. The subject of his YouTube video is Abhishek Sharma, the batter who has been scoring runs continuously throughout the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Sharma's run flow helped India to reach the final of the tournament as the first team of the contest, later joined by Pakistan. On Sunday (September 28), the India vs Pakistan match will be held to decide the winner of the Asia Cup 2025. 

Former India international heaped praise on Abhishek Sharma for his fearless batting approach against all teams so far. Ahead of the final, he is the top run scorer of the tournament with 309 runs from six innings at an average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 204.63. Irfan believes that the batter has become a crowd puller because of his batting skills. 

"Abhishek has scored 35-45% of India's runs in the Asia Cup alone. His strike rate is amazing, and it is not easy. His ability to hit the front and his base is impressing everyone. Everyone feels like they will buy the match ticket to watch this guy play. He is consistent and has become a six-hitting machine. He has played more than 30 balls only four times and has scored hundreds two times. That means if he plays a few more balls, then he will push the opposition on the back foot," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel. 

Read More: 'I tend to bowl short balls...'- New Zealand pacer mesmerized by Rohit Sharma's elegance

Pathan's surprising comment on Abhishek Sharma 

After saying that, Pathan put the law of averages in the discussion. The law of averages means that when a player is at his peak, he can experience an unexpected off form. Pathan feared that this could happen with the batter during the Asia Cup 2025 final as well. But he has trust in other Team India batters. Irfan also stated that if Pakistan bowlers manage to take the wicket of Sharma early, still, Team India has enough firepower to bounce back.

"Everyone will now think that Pakistan will target him in the final, and there could be the law of averages; maybe he will not score runs on a few days. But his method should not change. If Pakistan thinks getting him out alone will win them the game, there are other players as well," Pathan opined. 

Just before the one week of the beginning of the two-match home Test series against West Indies, the selection committee announced the 15-member Indian Test squad. After the team selection, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan pointed out India's missed opportunity. 

It was expected that the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah would be rested for the upcoming home Test series against the West Indies due to workload management, although the pacer is known for his commitment to Test cricket. However, it was surprising that Bumrah had been selected in the Test squad. In fact, the pacer is likely to be available for selection for both Test matches, while he is currently busy in the Asia Cup 2025, where they will play the Final against Pakistan this Sunday (September 28).

See Also: 'Inaccurate again...' Jasprit Bumrah schools Mohammed Kaif for 'avoid injury' statement in public platform

It seems like a missed opportunity not to play a young fast bowler: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that India missed a great opportunity as a young fast bowler could have been selected instead of Bumrah to strengthen the pace bowling team. However, Pathan has also praised Bumrah for his impressive Test commitment, who is also battling with his fitness. 

Pathan said on his YouTube channel, “It seems like a missed opportunity not to play a young fast bowler in these two Tests, but that’s the team’s current direction. If I were a selector or manager, I would have surely tried to give a young fast bowler an opportunity, focusing on their development, not just quick results. Bumrah remains committed to Test cricket, which is fantastic.” 

Talking about a young pace bowler opportunity in the upcoming home Test series against West Indies, Pathan has pointed out the importance of the Indian pace-bowling team for the long-term purpose. 

Pathan added, “Still, it’s good that Bumrah maintains Test cricket as his priority. Selectors could have utilised this series to give proper rest to Bumrah and groom a young fast bowler, something India must prioritise for long-term vision. India needs a group of eight good fast bowlers, not just three or four.” 

Does this mean Kuldeep Yadav may miss out again?

Meanwhile, Axar Patel has been named in the Test squad along with new vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. While Pathan is happy for Axar's return, he also fears that Kuldeep Yadav may miss out once again in Test cricket.

Pathan said, “Axar’s return strengthens the team. When Axar plays alongside Washington and Jadeja, the team gains batting depth. Does this mean Kuldeep Yadav may miss out again? I would definitely want to see him play, but with home conditions generally allowing only two fast bowlers, his spot is not guaranteed.”

Irfan Pathan's prediction again proved instantly on point. As soon as he made a prediction about Sahibzada Farhan's batting stance, Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed got his man, his 100th T20I wicket for Bangladesh. Irfan Pathan was right. Farhan made the mistake of what the former India international talked about. 

Ahead of the 3rd ball of the 1st over of the 1st innings of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Asia Cup 2025 Super Four match, Pathan opined that the Pakistan opener's stance was good for the back foot and against wide off-the-stump deliveries but could be fragile if the bowler forced him to play on the front foot. 

Taskin delivered exactly what Pathan was talking about during his commentary work. On the fourth delivery of the oven. Ahmed pitched the ball on the off and fuller on length. Farhan had no option but to use his front foot. The right-handed batter used his right foot and tried to guide the ball on the off side. He lacked control over the shot and found the fielder on the point region. An easy catch for Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed received his 100th T20I wicket after Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan. 

Read More: Suryakumar Yadav can receive strong verdict regarding Asia Cup 2025 'No Handshake' row

Irfan Pathan's prediction on air proved right

"Sahibzada Farhan ke liye woh length thodi aage daalna; woh front foot pe unhein invite karna zaroori hai. Unke stance ke hisaab se. (For Sahibzada Farhan, you need to pitch the ball up. He needs to be invited to the front foot, given the stance," Pathan said on air. 

Another day, another right prediction from Irfan Pathan ✅ 😎

Watch #PAKvBAN LIVE NOW on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.@IrfanPathan | #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/Q4J3kuLYRg

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 25, 2025

It was not the first time when Irfan Pathan's prediction proved right. In the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, on more than one occasion, the former pace-bowling all-rounder predicted dismissals early. During the India vs. Pakistan Super 4 match, and before that, during the India vs. UAE match, Pathan showcased his astute cricketing brain.