'They make shows using my name' - Irfan Pathan hits back at Shahid Afridi after India thump Pakistan
“Whoever these former cricketers from the neighbouring nation (Pakistan) make shows on my name in the media, keep doing it. You earn from it," said Pathan.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan heavily criticized former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi for using his name in the media negatively. Irfan's words came after India defeated Pakistan in the second Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 21, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s brilliant half-century.
The Baroda-born pointed out that former Pakistani cricketers often use his name on television shows and social media to criticize him, and earn publicity, but he expressed contentment, saying he is glad if such mentions help them support their families. The cricketer-turned-commentator further noted that many even appear on news channels to speak ill of him.
“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.
Pathan conceded Indians generally ignore other teams' results unless India play, noting that neither he nor Indian players publicly reacted or tweeted about Pakistan's loss to Zimbabwe in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and that while Indians seldom care, they will retaliate also if provoked.
“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.
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