Jonny Bairstow plays IPL? Irfan Pathan takes dig at critics of T20 league amid England's Test debacles

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan questioned Indian Premier League critics who pointed fingers at the T20 league for England's declining Test performances.

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan was among the many who took digs at the critics of the Indian Premier League after they pointed fingers at the T20 tournament for England's poor showing in Test cricket in the recent past. Pathan's cheeky statement on social media came after Jonny Bairstow came up with a rescue act to help England 268 for 6 on Day 1 of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

Jonny Bairstow remained unbeaten on 109 as he helped England bounce back after they were reeling a 48/4, bringing back memories of their Ashes debacle from earlier this year when England's batting unit crumbled innings after innings.

Bairstow and Ben Stokes stitched a 67-run stand for the 5th wicket and a 99-run stand with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to help put England back on track.

Following Bairstow's hundred, Irfan Pathan took to social media to put out a cheeky statement that was seemingly a dig at the critics of IPL.

"Jonny Bairstow plays IPL?" Pathan said in a widely-shared tweet.

Jonny Bairstow plays IPL?

England players were criticized for their involvement in the Indian Premier League when they were hammered 4-0 in the Ashes in Australia earlier this year.