Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan addresses viral Babar Azam interview claims

By Arjun Nair / 08.08.2026

By Arjun Nair — 8 August 2026 — 3 min read

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has recently discussed the rapid spread of misinformation and online trolling, specifically recalling an incident involving Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pathan clarified a false report that alleged Babar Azam refused an interview with him due to perceived critical comments Pathan had made about Pakistan.

According to Pathan, the viral story was fabricated using a doctored photograph. He explained that a media outlet in Pakistan published an article claiming he had sought an interview with Babar Azam, only to be rejected. The supposed reason for the refusal, as reported by the Pakistani media, was Babar Azam‘s belief that Pathan had trolled Pakistan. Pathan explicitly stated that this claim was “a complete lie.”

Pathan elaborated on the incident, revealing that his face had been photoshopped onto an existing image. The original photograph depicted a young Bangladeshi reporter who had approached Babar Azam for an interview but was turned down. This reporter was reportedly on the ground for the first time. The fabricated image, with Pathan‘s face superimposed, was then widely circulated, garnering over a million views, with many believing its authenticity.

Addressing Misinformation

Speaking on JioHotstar, Pathan highlighted the daily occurrence of “trolling and fake attribution.” He noted that such incidents are common, where false narratives are spread in the names of players or about them. Despite the frequent nature of these fabrications, Pathan generally chooses not to respond to them, stating that constant reactions would make it difficult to live one’s life.

The former Chennai Super Kings all-rounder also mentioned that his former India teammate, Harbhajan Singh, had defended him against Pakistani trolls in 2024. Harbhajan Singh questioned the authenticity of the viral video, asking where Irfan Pathan was in it and suggesting a lack of manners and vision among those spreading the false information.

The rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket, often influenced by political tensions, has seen instances where interactions between players and fans are scrutinized. One such instance mentioned was the refusal of Indian players to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during the Asia Cup 2025 matches, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. This backdrop potentially contributes to the environment where such viral, unverified stories can gain traction.

Beyond the Interview Claims

In a separate anecdote, Pathan recounted an experience with Bollywood actress Preity Zinta during his time with the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the Indian Premier League. Pathan was part of the KXIP team from 2008 to the 2010 season. He recalled a period when the team had lost several matches at the start of a season in South Africa, leading to widespread disappointment, including from Preity Zinta, who was the team’s boss.

Zinta motivated the team by promising a party with Indian food, including homemade parathas, if they won their next match. The team subsequently won a low-scoring game. True to her word, Preity Zinta gathered the players at the hotel and prepared parathas for them. Pathan described her as a “lovely lady,” highlighting her warmth and caring nature, noting that even when the team faced losses, she would attend meetings, engage with the players, and seek ways for improvement without losing her composure.

Irfan Pathan was a member of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team and was named Player of the Match in the final against Pakistan. Throughout his international career, he secured 301 wickets and scored 2,821 runs. In the IPL, he participated in 103 matches, taking 80 wickets and accumulating 1,139 runs.

The incident involving the photoshopped image underscores the challenges of managing public perception in the age of social media, where false narratives can quickly become widely accepted as fact.

Pathan‘s career highlights include his significant contributions to India’s cricket success, particularly his performance in the 2007 T20 World Cup final.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com