As things heat up on the field, fans are also witnessing some intense exchange off the field between former cricketers of India and Pakistan. Recently, former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf passed a derogatory comment on India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, referring him as a "pig" on live TV despite being corrected by the host.
This obviously led to massive backlash but instead of apologising, Yousuf dragged it further and questioned the integrity of Indian media by dragging Irfan Pathan into the debate. Yousuf was referring to Pathan's recent remarks on Shahid Afridi, where the former India bowling all-rounder had mentioned throwing a "dog meat" jibe at the latter.
After over a month, Afridi finally responded to the remarks made by Pathan, accusing the former India all-rounder of lying. "I was happy when Irfan was new and came for the Pakistan tour, as a Muslim was representing India. He should be thankful that India lacked pacers in that era and bowlers with a speed of 120-125 got a chance to play.
"Abdul Razzaq said these are lies, there was no conversation about dog meat," Afridi said while speaking to Pakistan's Samaa TV.
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Weighing further on the subject, Afridi said: "If he is man than say it on my face. He can keep talking behind my back. I can only respond if he says it on my face, what should I respond to this lie. I think he's trying to prove that he is a great Indian and how he's against Pakistanis. Poor soul he'll spend his entire life proving how great of an Indian he is."
Taking note of Afridi and his former teammate Yousuf's comments, Pathan took a dig against the former Pakistan players and their media. "Aap Log sahi kehte hain: ‘Ye padosi X players aur media Irfan Pathan ke naam se obsessed hain’" - he wrote on X.
The episode took place in a flight during India's tour to the country in 2006 when a young Pathan was left irked by Afridi and had passed a strong indirect remark while talking to Abdul Razzaq, another ex-Pakistan all-rounder.
"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 recalling the moment during an interaction 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.
Continuing further, Pathan said: "Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was sitting with me then. I asked him what kind of meat is available here. He told me meat of different animals are 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?
"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."
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