Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan made a tongue-in-cheek comment after the Pakistan cricket team arrived in Hyderabad for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan’s team was warmly greeted at the airport and their hotel, receiving praise from fans on both sides of the border.

Pathan’s comment, “people are surprised by our hospitality,” was interpreted by many Pakistan fans as a veiled dig at them.

Hamari mehman Nawazi se surprise hai kaafi log. We are the best HOST in every scope of life not just cricket. That’s how we are as a nation and ppl. All the counties came to play World Cup will have most memorable tournament. #WorldCup2023

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 28, 2023

Asia cup me ajaaty to hmari mehman nawazi bhi deekh leety tm log😉 https://t.co/KRj2iBUehb

— “”KHAN “” (@Jaan_Hona_Apki) September 28, 2023

Did you forget Karachi test’05 where you get hattrick against us? Didn’t crowd appreciated & applauded for you? Mehman nawazi to bht tagri ki thi ap k us poore tour pe jha b ap gye izat Mili, don’t understand why you become so toxic, ap k caliber ko ye chezain match ni krti! https://t.co/Pa3gogFow0

— عادل ملک (@aadimalik10) September 28, 2023

This interpretation was rooted in Pathan’s history of occasionally engaging with Pakistan fans on social media, which had, at times, ignited spirited exchanges between the fans of two cricket-loving nations.