Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan says a false story circulated during the 2023 ODI World Cup, alleging that Pakistan captain Babar Azam refused him an interview. According to Pathan, the claim originated from a Pakistani media outlet and was presented as if it were factual.
Pathan says his face was used in a misleading way: he claims it was photoshopped onto the image of a Bangladeshi reporter. He describes the episode as an example of how fabricated content can spread widely online, drawing large audiences and generating millions of views despite lacking credibility. The outlets also note that Pathan discusses the broader impact of such misinformation on sports narratives, contrasting it with his own public career in international cricket and the IPL.
While the core details are consistent across the reports—Pathan’s account of a specific fabricated claim, its origin in Pakistani media, and the use of a manipulated image—the articles focus primarily on Pathan’s recollection rather than presenting independent verification of the underlying materials.
