The simmering rivalry between former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and Pakistani legend Shahid Afridi has reignited ahead of the high-octane India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025. The spat, which initially surfaced in August 2025, has escalated with fresh social media exchanges and pointed remarks.
The latest episode appears to have been sparked by Afridi's recent comments during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, where he claimed that some people from India are "obsessed" with his name. Pathan responded to Afridi's remarks with a subtle jab on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "Aap Log sahi kehte hain: 'Ye padosi X players aur media Irfan Pathan ke naam se obsessed hain'". This translates to: "You guys say the right thing. Some former players and media from Pakistan are obsessed with the name Irfan Pathan".
The tension between the two former cricketers dates back to an incident that Pathan recounted in an interview where he described an altercation with Afridi during a flight. According to Pathan, Afridi had been dismissive and rude, referring to him as a "kid" in front of teammate Abdul Razzaq. Pathan also mentioned an exchange where he jokingly inquired about the availability of dog meat in Pakistan, directing the comment towards Afridi.
Afridi has since refuted Pathan's version of the story, dismissing it as false and calling him "not a real man". He insisted that he only respects individuals who confront him directly. "I consider those people men who can say things face to face and who will look me in the eye. He keeps talking behind my back. How do I respond to his lies?" Afridi stated in a recent video that has gone viral. He challenged Pathan to a face-to-face discussion to clear the air.
The timing of this renewed animosity coincides with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, both on and off the field. The Asia Cup Group A match saw Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team allegedly refusing to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts after their victory, drawing criticism from former Pakistani players, including Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, and Shoaib Akhtar.
The two teams are set to clash again in the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup 2025, further intensifying the atmosphere. The possibility of another encounter in the final looms large, adding another layer of anticipation to this already fierce rivalry.
Pathan and Afridi had a tough rivalry during their playing days and have now taken it to social media and commentary boxes. On the field, Pathan has dismissed Afridi nine times in their on-field battles. With the India-Pakistan rivalry always a charged affair, this latest chapter involving Pathan and Afridi only adds more fuel to the fire.
