Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf, who is known for scoring more than 17,000 international runs, has sparked a lot of controversy after making a really rude comment against India’s skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, on a recent TV show.
Yousuf was a guest on a Pakistani TV show when the event happened. While talking about the aftermath of an Asia Cup Group A match in which India beat Pakistan, he kept calling Yadav a “pig.” Yousuf said what he did because Yadav didn’t shake hands with the Pakistani players after the game. The Indian captain thereafter dedicated the triumph to the Armed Forces and said he stood with the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist incident. This was also talked upon on the broadcast.
A low level rhetoric from Yousuf Yohana (converted) on a national TV program.
— Slogger (@kirikraja) September 16, 2025
He called India captain Suryakumar Yadav as "Suar" (pig).
Shameless behaviour. And they demand respect, preach morality. pic.twitter.com/yhWhnwaYYq
The host of the show was clearly horrified and tried to stop Yousuf from verbally abusing him, but Yousuf kept going. Yousuf also said on the show that India was cheating to win, saying, “India can’t get out of their filmy world.” India should be ashamed of how they are trying to win, by employing umpires and torturing [Pakistan] through the match referee. After this, he started to make rude and repetitive comments against Yadav.
Yousuf played 288 ODIs, 90 Tests, and three T20Is for Pakistan from 1998 to 2010. He was met with swift and widespread anger on social media. He posted an explanation on X (previously Twitter) after the outcry.
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…
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) September 16, 2025
Yousuf said in his article, “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful to any athlete who plays for his country with passion and grace.” But why did the Indian media and people praise Irfan Pathan when he declared that Shahid Khan Afridi was barking like a dog? “Shouldn’t everyone who talks about respect and dignity have said no to that?”
Yousuf’s defense brings up an old incident between Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi. In a recent interview, Pathan talked about a flight during the 2006 tour when Afridi put his hand on Pathan’s head and called him “kid.” Pathan didn’t like the gesture or Afridi’s constant insults, so he chose to respond sharply.
Pathan remembered asking his teammate Abdul Razzaq what kind of meat was available. Pathan questioned if dog meat was available after Razzaq enumerated numerous kinds of meat. Pathan said, “He (Afridi) must have eaten dog meat—he’s been barking for so long.” This made Razzaq appear astonished. Pathan said that the rapid recovery made Afridi utterly quiet for the rest of the flight.
Yousuf seems to be trying to deflect criticism by bringing up this old event and pointing out what he sees as a double standard. Many people have said that his comments on Suryakumar Yadav on a public forum were an unjustified and unprovoked personal attack.