Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has refused to apologise despite facing the public backlash for using a derogatory term to refer Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav on live TV.
Yousuf chose to drag former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan instead as he put out a statement on social media platform 'X'.
During a discussion on SAMAA TV, Yousuf was asked about his views on Team India's refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players during their Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai on Sunday (September 14).
However, the 51-year-old resorted to name-calling before accusing the Men in Blue of foul play.
Here is how the discussion unfolded:
Yousuf: “India cannot escape their castle of illusion. Their captain, Suarkumar Yadav…”
Anchor: “It's Suryakumar Yadav.”
Yousuf: “Yeah, that's what I said. Suarkumar Yadav.”
Anchor: “No, his name is Suryakumar Yadav.”
Yousuf: “Oh, okay! He is Suarkumar Yadav. India should be ashamed of itself because of its shenanigans to win matches: keeping the Umpire in cohorts and torturing the referee to act according to them. There is a limit to everything.”
As the video of his remarks went viral on the internet, Yousuf issued a statement, where he did not express regret and rather turned the tables on the Indian media, questioning their silence when Pathan had mocked former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi with a ‘dog’ jibe.
Yousuf tweeted: “I didn’t mean any disrespect to any sportsman who plays for his country with passion and grace, but why were the Indian media and people praising Irfan Pathan when he said that Shahid Khan Afridi was barking like a dog? Shouldn’t that have been rejected by everyone who talks about dignity and respect?”
In an interaction with Lallantop last month, Pathan had recalled an episode where he had a fiery exchange with Afridi during India's 2006 tour of Pakistan.
"During the 2006 tour, we were travelling by flight from Karachi to Lahore. Both teams were travelling together. Afridi came and placed his hand on my head, messing up my hair. He asked me, "How are you kid?" I said, "Since when have you become my father?". The childish behaviour was actually his. He was not my friend. After that, Afridi said some abusive words to me. His seat was right next to mine," Pathan said.
“Abdul Razzaq was sitting with me then. I asked him what kind of meat is available here. He told me about the different kinds of meat. Then I asked if dog meat was available. Afridi was sitting right there. Razzaq was shocked to hear this and said, 'Hey Irfan, why are you saying this?',” he added.
Pathan didn’t hold back as he said Afridi had eaten the dog's meat, which is why he had been barking.
"I said, "He (Afridi) has eaten dog meat, he has been barking for a long time" After that, Afridi couldn’t say anything. Whatever he might have said, I would have just said, 'Look, he is barking again.' After this, he remained silent throughout the flight. From this incident, he understood that he could not win against me verbally. That’s why he never said anything to me again," he remarked.
