Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, May 31: A Kerala-based alumni association in Dubai has landed in controversy after former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi was seen receiving a warm welcome at their event just weeks after he made disparaging remarks against India following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA) had organised an event at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) last week. Afridi, along with ex-teammate Umar Gul, made an appearance on stage to loud cheers and chants of “Boom Boom,” a reference to Afridi’s nickname. Videos of the event quickly went viral, triggering sharp criticism on social media.
The backlash intensified as India continues Operation Sindoor, a military crackdown following terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Many questioned the Kerala community's decision to applaud Afridi, who recently mocked India's security forces on Pakistani television and took part in a car rally claiming Pakistan’s “victory” post-Operation Sindoor.
In response, CUBAA issued a clarification, distancing itself from the controversy. The group stated that Afridi and Gul had not been invited and their presence at the event was unplanned.
"On May 25, 2025, the same day as our event, the aforementioned cricketers visited the venue as part of a Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest UAE Flag with Handprints," the statement read. "As our programme was concluding, they made an unsolicited appearance. No member of our team invited or coordinated their presence."
Afridi had stirred controversy earlier by blaming Indian forces for the Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians were killed, stating, “You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir and this still happened. It means you are inefficient and useless.”
The incident has sparked debate over public conduct by overseas Indian communities, especially in light of sensitive national security matters.