New Delhi, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan cricket great Wasim Akram has urged fans to treat India-Pakistan matches as sporting contests and avoid carrying emotions from past conflicts into the cricketing rivalry, while also speaking about his long-standing association with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
Speaking on the 1 Mint podcast, Akram said the intense emotions surrounding matches between the two neighbouring countries should not turn a cricket result into prolonged hostility among supporters.
“People have too much time. Why can’t they understand? It’s only a frikkin game. At the end of the day, it’s just a match. Somebody has to win, somebody has to lose. And move on to the next one,” he said.
Akram said emotions linked to events from the past continue to influence the rivalry, adding that the tendency to seek revenge was an outdated mindset.
The former Pakistan captain also recalled his first meeting with Pathan during India’s tour of Australia in 2004, when the young left-arm pacer was establishing himself in international cricket.
Akram said Pathan had grown up watching Pakistan’s celebrated left-arm fast bowlers and sought advice on the finer aspects of the craft. He recalled giving Pathan tips on mindset, wrist position, reading batters and deciding when to use variations.
“Irfan is a good boy; he still keeps meeting me,” Akram said, while noting that Pathan occasionally posts comments on social media about Pakistan. He added that fans on both sides were often quick to respond rather than ignore such posts.
Pathan’s left-arm pace, ability to swing the new ball and similarities in bowling action with Akram led to frequent comparisons between the two during the early stages of his career.
Akram said his guidance to emerging players was focused less on altering established techniques and more on developing the tactical understanding and mindset needed to perform at the highest level.
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