“He’s been barking for a long time” - Pathan recalls heated exchange with Shahid Afridi during PAK tour

Recently, in a podcast with The Lallantop, Irfan Pathan shared an incident of a heated exchange with Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi. Afridi has often made headlines for controversial remarks, particularly targeting Indian cricketers and politicians, and has frequently blamed them for the strained relationship between India and Pakistan.

Irfan Pathan’s Test hat-trick against Pakistan in Karachi during the 2006 tour remains one of the most memorable spells of his international career. He recently shared an interesting anecdote from that tour involving Shahid Afridi. Both the Pakistan and Indian teams were traveling together from Karachi to Lahore. During that flight, Shahid Afridi approached Irfan Pathan and started playfully ruffling his hair, calling him his "kid."

Pathan, who barely knew Afridi at the time, was understandably shocked by such disrespectful behavior. The Indian all-rounder quickly retaliated with a befitting response, which left Afridi visibly angry.

"During the 2006 tour, we were travelling by flight from Karachi to Lahore. Both teams were travelling together. Afridi came and placed his hand on my head, messing up my hair. He asked me, 'How are you kid?' I said, 'Since when have you become my father?'. The childish behaviour was actually his. He was not my friend. After that, Afridi said some abusive words to me. His seat was right next to mine," Pathan recounted on Lallantop.

Irfan Pathan then even inquired with Abdul Razzaq if Afridi had eaten dog Meat as he was barking like one. 

"Abdul Razzaq was sitting with me then. I asked him what kind of meat is available here. He told me about the different kinds of meat. Then I asked if dog meat was available. Afridi was sitting right there. Razzaq was shocked to hear this and said, 'Hey Irfan, why are you saying this?'" Pathan detailed.

'He (Afridi) has eaten dog meat, he has been barking for a long time.' After that, Afridi couldn't say anything. Whatever he might have said, I would have just said, 'Look, he is barking again.' After this, he remained silent throughout the flight." Pathan explained.

Irfan Pathan has picked Shahid Afridi’s wicket nine times in international cricket 

It is worth noting that Irfan Pathan had a great record against the hard-hitter Shahid Afridi in international cricket. Pathan had conceded 71 runs off 60 balls bowled against Afridi and had dismissed him seven times. Besides, he has also got him out once in T20Is in the 2007 T20 World Cup. 

Afridi though has enjoyed batting against Pathan in red-ball cricket. In 84 balls faced against Pathan, Afridi has smashed 147 runs while giving away his wicket only once.