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The rivalry between former Team India pacer Irfan Pathan and ex-Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi gave some sensational moments to fans from both countries. Pathan, during his career, made Afridi bunny 11 times across all formats of the sport. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 final played in Johannesburg, Irfan dismissed Shahid Afridi on a duck and delivered a major blow to the Men in Green. Irfan retired from international cricket in 2020 while Afridi culminated his vast career in 2017. After five years of his retirement, Irfan recently talked about his rivalry with the Pakistan legend.
Appearing on The Lallantop, Irfan Pathan disclosed an event related to Afridi when India were on Pakistan tour in 2006. While revealing the details of the incident, the ex-India speedster called Afridi disrespectful. "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?' I thought since when did you become my father. He behaved like a child. I was neither talking to him nor was he friends with me. After this Afridi said some bad things to me. His seat was near mine," remarked Irfan.
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Irfan said that he approached Abdul Razzaq, who was Pakistan’s ace all-rounder, and then, taunted Afridi. "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 stunned to hear me and asked, 'Hey Irfan why are you saying this?', I said, 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," added Irfan.
Irfan Pathan’s performance during India’s tour of Pakistan 2006
In 2006, when India toured Pakistan for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals (ODI), the visitors lost the red-ball series by 1-0 while in the limited-over format, they clinched a 4-1 win. Irfan Pathan did a stellar job for India as a pacer. In Tests, he took eight wickets in five innings of three games. In the third Test played in Karachi, he also grabbed his maiden Test hat-trick. The pacer got rid of Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf.
In India’s ODI win, Pathan was the most successful bowler with nine wickets in four outings at a thrifty economy of 4.49. That was India’s last tour of Pakistan for a bilateral competition. After that series, India travelled to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2008 assignment.
