A recent podcast appearance by former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has stirred up quite the buzz, particularly concerning his recollections of interactions with Pakistani players, most notably Shahid Afridi. One anecdote, in particular, has gone viral: a heated exchange on a flight where Pathan responded to Afridi's teasing with a sharp retort that left Afridi speechless and former Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in shock.

Pathan recounted that during the 2006 tour, while the Indian and Pakistani teams were traveling together from Karachi to Lahore, Afridi came up to him and ruffled his hair, calling him "bacche" (kid). Pathan, feeling disrespected, responded with, "Tu kab se mera baap ban gaya?" which translates to "Since when did you become my father?." He felt Afridi was acting childish.

The story didn't end there. Pathan then directed a question to Abdul Razzaq, who was seated nearby. He inquired about the types of meat available, and when Razzaq listed them, Pathan followed up by asking if they served "kutte ka gosht" (dog meat). When a startled Razzaq asked why he was asking, Pathan, pointing towards Afridi, said, "Isne khaya hai tabse bhonk raha hai" (He has eaten it, that is why he is barking since long time). According to reports, Afridi responded to Pathan's comments with abuse before returning to his seat.

Pathan, in the podcast, didn't hold back his feelings about Afridi, even calling him "badtameez aadmi" (a rude man). He alluded to an incident where Afridi, in an interview with Harsha Bhogle, had referred to Pathan as a "Nakli Pathan" (Fake Pathan), claiming himself to be the "real Pathan". Pathan admitted that he was hurt by this personal attack and felt that Bhogle should have challenged Afridi's statement.

Beyond this particular incident, Pathan revealed that he dismissed Afridi eleven times in his career. He also made mention of dismissing him in the ICC T20 World Cup final in 2007.

It's worth noting that tensions between Afridi and certain Indian players have surfaced in the past. In July of 2025, reports circulated suggesting that some Indian players, including Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan, withdrew from a World Champions League (WCL) clash against Pakistan due to Afridi's presence. This reported decision stemmed from Afridi's anti-India remarks, particularly concerning India's reaction to the Pahalgam attack.

These stories shared by Pathan provide a glimpse into the often-intense rivalries and personal dynamics that exist between players from India and Pakistan. While there's respect and camaraderie, the pressure and history surrounding these encounters can lead to heated exchanges and lasting impressions.