Irfan Pathan fires back at Shahid Afridi after former Pakistan skipper reignites 'dog meat' controversy.
Irfan Pathan has struck back after Shahid Afridi, the ex-Pakistan skipper, attacked him with regard to a recent disclosure regarding their earlier encounter. Pathan stirred controversy when he described how he had an altercation with Afridi during his playing days, reviving the notorious "eating dog meat" scandal. Afridi, who is infamous for his controversial statements, totally dismissed Pathan's accusations and dared him to meet him in person.
Speaking on Pakistani television channel Samaa TV, Afridi stated, "Main usko mard manta hoon jo samne khara hoke baat kare. Peeth peeche itni baat karni hain, lekin manu usko hi jo samne aake baat kare. Phir maza aayega na, jawab bhi de sake banda.". (I believe in those who can talk face to face. Anyone can talk behind someone’s back, but I only respect those who can talk in front of me. That would spice things up. I can also give the perfect reply).”
With a tongue-in-cheek response, Pathan posted on X: "Aap log sahi kehte hain: 'Ye padosi X players aur media Irfan Pathan ke naam se obsessed hain.'" The response from the ex-Indian all-rounder was a seemingly innocuous dig at Afridi and the accompanying media hype.
The origin of the controversy dates back to the 2006 tour when both sides were flying in concert in Pakistan. Pathan disclosed, "We were flying from Karachi to Lahore during the 2006 tour. Both sides were flying together. Afridi approached and rested his hand on my head and tousled my hair. He asked me how I was."
Pathan continued to explain that he had been engaged in a conversation with Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq and stated, "I asked him what type of meat was here. He said different animals' meat was available. After that, I asked him if dog meat was available. Razzaq was taken aback to hear me and asked me why I was saying that. I pointed towards Afridi and told him that he has consumed dog meat, and that is the reason he is barking like one."
This discovery, although years old, crept back into the limelight in the midst of the latest India-Pakistan handshake saga during Asia Cup 2025, further fueling already strained relations between fans and cricket insiders on both sides.
By sharing his incisive remark on X, Pathan pointed out the way Pakistani players and media have obsessed over him over the last few weeks. According to a source, Pathan's calculated retort captures both humor and sarcasm, revealing his skills for responding to controversies without pouring oil into the fire.
