Dont pick on just one word, if you feel it is offensive I will suggest we replace it with ‘sad’. Obviously I am speaking as a Pakistani, who bears in mind a certain set of realities when it comes to indian muslims and the discrimination and violence they face in that country. I find it shameful (or sad if you prefer) if they then join an army that mainly focuses on fighting a country largely created because of Muslim apprehensions of discrimination and violence. Like I said before, blacks fighting for the pro-slavery South in the American civil war comes to mind.
Obviously Irfan Pathan and Hashim Amla are sports personalities and dont have the same moral impact as soldiers do. And in the case of South Africa they dont have a problem with Muslims so why would he be ashamed?