'Mere naam se obsessed hain': Irfan Pathan takes fresh jibe at Shahid Afridi ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has responded to ex-Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s recent remarks, adding another twist to the ongoing to-and-fro between the two ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 clash. Pathan’s rebuttal comes ahead of the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.

Pathan hinted that some people from Pakistan are “obsessed” with his name. He tweeted on Saturday morning, “Aap log sahi kehte hain: ‘Ye padosi X players aur media Irfan Pathan ke naam se obsessed hain.’” This is being seen as a response to Afridi’s recent comment on Pathan.

Aap Log sahi kehte hain: ‘Ye padosi X players aur media Irfan Pathan ke naam se obsessed hain.’

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 20, 2025

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What’s the issue between Pathan and Afridi?

The controversy began in August when Pathan, in an interview with Lallantop, recounted a confrontation with Afridi on a flight. Pathan had joked about what kind of meat Pakistanis eat and claimed that Afridi “has eaten dog meat” because “he has been barking for so long.” Pathan said that people like Afridi believe they are real Pathans just because they live in a muslim country.

Afridi reacted on Samaa TV, questioning Pathan’s statements and calling them lies, saying, “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. I can only respond if he says things to my face. How do I respond to his lies? What should I respond to this lie?”

“It’s the same social-media race and the need to prove oneself that ‘I’m a big Indian’ and ‘I’m against Pakistanis.’ He will keep proving it his whole life, just watch.”

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Shahid Afridi accused @IrfanPathan of telling lies and challenged him to a face-to-face discussion. Afridi also claimed Pathan is attempting to prove his loyalty to India while opposing Pakistan.

Who is gonna tell @SAfridiOfficial that Pathan doesn't need to prove anything, as… pic.twitter.com/3ViPYMve43

— Slogger (@kirikraja) September 19, 2025

Tensions between India and Pakistan have been high in the Asia Cup after the Group A clash, when India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with Pakistan following their seven-wicket victory. With the Super 4s clash coming up, this rivalry seems set to continue both on and off the field.