Irfan Pathan Discusses Trolling and Fake News in Cricket

In a recent interview, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan opened up about the challenges of dealing with trolling and fake news in cricket. He recounted a specific incident involving a fabricated story about Babar Azam refusing an interview, emphasizing the importance of not engaging with every false narrative. Pathan's reflections shed light on the daily realities faced by athletes in the digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly. His career achievements and experiences in the IPL further illustrate his journey in the sport. Read on to discover more about his insights and experiences.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 7, 2026, 23:36 IST

Irfan Pathan Addresses Fake News and Trolling

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 7: Irfan Pathan, the former Indian cricketer, recently shared his experiences with online trolling and misinformation. He recounted an incident where a fabricated story circulated in Pakistan, claiming that Pakistani batsman Babar Azam had declined an interview with him. Pathan emphasized that he chooses not to engage with such narratives, as responding to every false claim would hinder his ability to lead a normal life.

During his appearance on JioHotstar's 'Cheeky Singles', Pathan elaborated on the prevalence of trolling and fake news, stating that these occurrences are a daily reality. He recalled a specific instance where a story falsely claimed that Babar refused to speak with him, alleging that he had insulted their country. This narrative was entirely fabricated, with his image photoshopped onto another person's photograph.

Pathan explained, "The media in our neighboring country once published a story suggesting that I had approached Babar Azam for an interview, which he declined, stating, 'He trolls our country, so I won’t give him an interview.' This was completely untrue. The original image featured a young Bangladeshi journalist who was denied an interview, and they simply replaced his face with mine. The story gained over a million views, and many believed it was true. Such incidents occur frequently, but I refrain from reacting. If I were to respond to every lie, I wouldn't be able to live my life," he added.

Throughout his career from 2003 to 2012, Pathan amassed 2,821 runs at an average of 26.12 across 141 innings, including one century and 11 half-centuries, with a top score of 102. He also took 301 wickets at an average of 29.85, achieving nine five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches, establishing himself as one of the premier all-rounders of his era, despite facing numerous injuries.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he played for teams such as Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Gujarat Lions, securing 80 wickets in 103 matches and scoring 1,139 runs in 82 innings at an average of 21.49, including one fifty.