The India-Pakistan rivalry has tended to spill over beyond cricket, with players having had sour experiences on and off the pitch. Indian all-rouder Irfan Pathan recently reminisced about his bittersweet encounters with former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, even terming him as a "Badtameez Aadmi" (ill-mannered human). Pathan went back to a heated exchange in the past, in India's tour of Pakistan in 2006, where he and Afridi had a confrontation on a flight. The ex-pacer also was infuriated at what was said by Afridi in his interview with Harsha Bhogle, adding disparaging words against him. Kaneria Joins Pathan in Criticism Pathan’s words received backing from Afridi’s former teammate Dinesh Kaneria, who did not hold back in his criticism. Kaneria claimed Afridi lacked “class and decency” and went further with strong accusations. "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," Kaneria wrote on X. 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 Also Read | Irfan Pathan Opens Up on the Reasons Behind His Shortened International Career Kaneria has before made serious charges against Afridi, among them that the previous Pakistan captain attempted to manipulate his own beliefs. Previous this year, Kaneria charged Afridi with insisting that he convert to Islam and at first declined to eat with him. Previously in 2025, Kaneria wrote: "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." Kaneria, who played 61 Tests and captured 261 wickets, is Pakistan's best spinner in red-ball cricket. Only three more players, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan, have more Test wickets for Pakistan. Pathan, on the other hand, enjoyed significant success against Afridi on the pitch. In 23 innings, the Indian left-arm seamer dismissed Afridi nine times, highlighting their intense rivalry on and off the field.