Babar Azam interview refusal claim was ‘a complete lie’, says Irfan Pathan

By Sanjay Menon — 8 August 2026 — 3 min read

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has addressed the spread of fake news and online trolling, specifically recalling an incident during the 2023 ODI World Cup involving Pakistan cricketer Babar Azam. Pathan stated that a false report circulated claiming Azam refused to be interviewed by him due to alleged comments Pathan made about Pakistan. Pathan clarified that this report was based on a manipulated photograph.

Pathan explained that a media outlet in Pakistan published a story suggesting he had approached Azam for an interview, only to be turned down. The fabricated story implied Azam refused the interview because he believed Pathan trolled Pakistan. Pathan described this as “a complete lie,” stating that someone had photoshopped his face onto an existing picture.

Clarifying the Incident

The former cricketer elaborated on the origin of the manipulated image. He revealed that the person in the original photograph was a young Bangladeshi reporter who was making his first appearance on the ground and was denied an interview by Azam. Pathan noted that his face was digitally superimposed onto the reporter’s body, and the altered image was then used to spread the false narrative. This fabricated story garnered over a million views, with many believing it to be true.

Pathan highlighted that such instances of trolling and fake attribution occur frequently. He mentioned that he generally chooses not to respond to every claim made about him, as constantly addressing rumours would make it difficult to live his life. Pathan suggested that responding to every piece of misinformation can become an endless task, especially for public figures who are often subjects of speculation.

He further commented on the daily occurrence of lies being told in his name or about other players. Pathan emphasized that if one were to respond to every false claim, it would consume their time and energy. This incident serves as an example of how quickly misinformation can spread online, particularly in the context of sports rivalries.

Pathan’s Career and Public Profile

Irfan Pathan was a member of India‘s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team, where he was named Player of the Match in the final against Pakistan. Throughout his international career, he took 301 wickets and scored 2,821 runs. His batting record included one century and 11 half-centuries, with his highest score being 102. He established himself as one of India‘s leading pace-bowling all-rounders between 2003 and 2012.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pathan played 103 matches, securing 80 wickets and accumulating 1,139 runs. He represented several franchises during the tournament’s early years, including Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Gujarat Lions. He was also selected by CSK in 2015 but did not play a game for the franchise.

Pathan’s public profile has often made him a target on social media, particularly from Pakistani fans during matches between the two nations. He has also been involved in public exchanges with former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. His remarks on the JioHotstar programme ‘Cheeky Singles’ provided further insight into his experiences with online misinformation.

The incident with the photoshopped image during the 2023 ODI World Cup highlights the challenges public figures face in managing their online presence and combating false narratives.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com