Ex-Pakistan spinner, Danish Kaneria has spoken in favor of the former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan who has recently revealed an unfriendly conversation with Shahid Afridi. Pathan remembered how Afridi had gone too far with his personal comments and this is what precipitated a hot confrontation between the two.
Danish Kaneria backs Irfan Pathan
Kaneria was not spared as he took sides with Pathan insisting that Afridi was disrespectful in his treatment of other players. The retired bowler of Pakistan posted on social media that Afridi was very fond of personal attacks, he would mention family or even religion to make others uncomfortable.
“Irfan bhai, you’re absolutely right. He always resorts to personal attacks, be it on someone’s family or their religion. Class and decency clearly aren’t his strengths,” Kaneria posted on X.
These remarks of Kaneria instantly attracted the attention, because the conflict between Afridi and a number of cricketers is a frequent topic even after several years of their retirement in the game.
Irfan Pathan recalls 2006 flight incident
Pathan had earlier recalled an episode in 2006 when Pakistan toured India that left Afridi speechless. Pathan accused Afridi of having tried to provoke him by messing his hair and addressing him in a juvenile manner in one of the flights between Karachi and Lahore.
“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?'” Pathan said on Lallantop.
Pathan said he did not engage at first but Afridi’s childish behavior quickly turned into personal remarks. Sitting close by, Afridi continued his antics until Pathan finally decided to respond in a way that silenced him.
Verbal counter leaves Afridi quiet
Pathan stated that initially he did not respond but Afridi started to act like a child and soon personal comments came out. Sitting nearby, Afridi kept up his mischief till Pathan at last determined to answer him in such a manner as stilled him.
“Pakistan allrounder 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 surprised to hear me and said, ‘Hey Irfan why are you saying this?”
Pathan then made the remark straight to Afridi. “He (Afridi) has eaten dog meat, he has been barking for so long,” he said. The observation shocked Afridi, who could not respond with any other word in the flight.
Lasting impact of the exchange
Pathan continued that Afridi did not say a word throughout the rest of the journey and never tried to challenge him again. “After this Afridi could not say anything. If he said anything I would have said look he is barking more. After this he remained quiet for the entire flight. He understood from this incident that he would not be able to fight me verbally. That is why he never said anything to me again.”
The incident has made a comeback after several years, with the intensity of on-field and off-field rivalry between cricketers of the two cricketing countries. The issue has again raised its head with Kaneria recently backing it up and people talking about how Afridi had behaved and how sometimes, personal boundaries were crossed in the zeal of competition.
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