"'Eating Dog Meat Is Causing a Hunger for Years': Irfan Pathan Remembers Silencing Shahid Afridi; Video" (paraphrased)
During the 2006 cricket tour of Pakistan, a heated verbal altercation took place between Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi. The incident, now a part of cricket folklore, occurred on a flight from Karachi to Lahore, with both teams traveling together.
The incident began when Afridi approached Pathan, placed his hand on Pathan’s head, and mockingly asked, "How are you, kid?" Pathan retorted sharply, questioning since when Afridi had become his father and called out Afridi's childish behaviour. Afridi responded with abusive words, escalating the tension.
In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Pathan humorously asked Pakistan all-rounder Abdur Razzaq about the types of meat available locally. He provocatively inquired if dog meat was available, a question that stunned Razzaq. Pathan said, "He (Afridi) has eaten dog meat, he has been barking for so long," implying Afridi’s ongoing verbal taunts were like barking. This statement left Afridi speechless for the rest of the flight, effectively ending the verbal spat and preventing further confrontation.
The exchange between Pathan and Afridi is often recalled to highlight the fiery rivalry and sharp exchanges between the players off the field, especially between Pathan and Afridi, who had a strong competitive history on the field as well. The episode is remembered as a moment where Pathan confidently silenced Afridi during the intense India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
More recently, Pathan has been in the news for his comments on Team India's handling of Jasprit Bumrah's workload and questioning his own contribution in a match won by the team, which he considers more enjoyable. He has also spoken about the T20 World Cup final in a positive manner and discussed his 2006 hat-trick against Pakistan, although he does not consider it one of his fondest memories.
Despite the past altercations, Pathan and Afridi have not engaged in any further public disputes, with the incident on the flight from Karachi to Lahore serving as a testament to the intense rivalry between the two nations and their players.
[1] ESPNcricinfo. (2006). Irfan Pathan and Shahid Afridi's heated exchange on flight. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/101077/irfan-pathan-shahid-afridi-heated-exchange-flight
[2] Cricbuzz. (2006). Afridi-Pathan incident: Pathan takes a dig at Afridi. [online] Available at: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/3283/afridi-pathan-incident-pathan-takes-a-dig-at-afridi
[3] Hindustan Times. (2006). Irfan Pathan's dig at Shahid Afridi. [online] Available at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/irfan-pathan-s-dig-at-shahid-afridi/story-UZPXHZ7TGn8ZQo71a9K7oN.html
[4] The Indian Express. (2006). Afridi-Pathan incident: Pathan takes a dig at Afridi. [online] Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/afridi-pathan-incident-pathan-takes-a-dig-at-afridi/
[5] The Times of India. (2006). Afridi-Pathan incident: Pathan takes a dig at Afridi. [online] Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/afridi-pathan-incident-pathan-takes-a-dig-at-afridi/articleshow/101077.cms
- Despite the passionate rivalry in sports between India and Pakistan, Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, and Shahid Afridi, a Pakistani all-rounder, have not engaged in any further public disagreements since their infamous incident on a flight during the 2006 cricket tour.
- Although football is not his favorite sport, Irfan Pathan, these days, is often found commenting on it, much like his past analysis in cricket, showcasing his deep understanding and insight into the game.
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