Pakistan cricketer openly comes out in support of Irfan Pathan labelling Shahid Afridi a DOG

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has backed former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s recent criticism of Shahid Afridi. Kaneria, who played alongside Afridi for the Pakistan national cricket team, reignited the controversy by accusing the former Pakistan captain of resorting to personal digs.

Irfan Pathan and Shahid Afridi shared a memorable on-field rivalry during their playing careers. Pathan enjoyed considerable success against Pakistan. He scored 807 runs and took 67 wickets. The left-arm pacer dismissed Afridi 11 times across formats, including a golden duck in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.

I Have Shown Shahid Afridi 11 Times Who the Real Pathan Is - Irfan Pathan

Speaking on Lallantop, Irfan Pathan revealed Shahid Afridi called him a “fake Pathan.” Pathan felt the remark insulted not only him but also his family, describing Afridi as a “Badtameez Aadmi” (ill-mannered person).

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“Afridi had said, ‘I am the real Pathan, he is a fake Pathan’. Badtameez aadmi hai. Mujhe laga ki aap sirf mere baare mein nahi bol rahe ho, mere walid ke baare mein bhi baat kar rahe,” Pathan revealed.

“So whenever I had the ball in hand, I made sure I dismissed him. I have shown him 11 times who the real Pathan is — in big moments, in series deciders, and in the World Cup final.”

Class and Decency Clearly Aren’t His Strengths - Danish Kaneria Backs Irfan Pathan

Danish Kaneria reacted to the viral clip of Irfan Pathan’s remarks. Kaneria also criticized Shahid Afridi’s behavior, accusing him of lacking “class and decency.” The former leg-spinner said the ex-Pakistan captain often resorted to personal attacks.

“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 wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Irfan @IrfanPathan 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.pic.twitter.com/nWOEA3vz49

— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) August 17, 2025

Danish Kaneria represented Pakistan in 61 Tests over a decade-long career. He remains the country’s most successful spinner in red-ball cricket with 261 wickets at an average of 34.79, including 15 five-wicket hauls. Kaneria last played a Test match against England at Nottingham in 2010.

He recorded career-best figures of 7 for 77 in 2003 against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Only Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan have taken more wickets for Pakistan in the format.

This Is Not the First Time Danish Kaneria Has Targeted Shahid Afridi

Earlier, Danish Kaneria accused Shahid Afridi of pressuring him to convert to Islam and refusing to share meals with him. Kaneria also claimed that Afridi supports extremist views and added that he should not be given a platform in India.

"He has consistently aligned himself with extremist views. In my opinion, he should not be given a platform on Indian television or within the country. Additionally, he tried to persuade me to convert to Islam and declined to share a meal with me, which I found deeply disrespectful," wrote Kaneria in a post on X earlier this year.

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