Irfan Pathan, Shoaib Malik Hug After Match in Saudi Arabia; Video Goes Viral

• Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik shared a side-hug and shook hands after an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia.
• The gesture is a rare display of sportsmanship given the strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan.
• The match saw Pakistan score 56/4 (Shoaib Malik 34) and India reply with 51/4, falling short by five runs.
• Cricketing ties between the two nations have been tense since the Pahalgam terror attack in early 2025, leading to incidents like refusal to shake hands and provocative on-field gestures.
• The video of Pathan and Malik's interaction went viral, drawing criticism from fans upset by the gesture.

Why It Matters: Irfan Pathan and Shoaib Malik's hug post-match in Saudi Arabia went viral, sparking debate amid strained India-Pakistan cricketing ties.