Shahid Afridi’s Dubai Appearance at Kerala Community Event Triggers Outrage Over Anti-India Remarks

GG News Bureau
Dubai/New Delhi, 31st May: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has once again stirred controversy—this time, not with his words, but with an unexpected appearance at a Dubai event hosted by an Indian alumni group. Just weeks after mocking Indian security forces in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Afridi was seen being welcomed on stage by members of the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA), sparking swift criticism on social media.

In a video that quickly went viral, Afridi and fellow ex-cricketer Umar Gul were greeted with cheers and chants of “Boom Boom,” Afridi’s well-known moniker. Smiling, the 47-year-old responded with a casual “Hogaya Boom Boom,” a remark many Indians found insensitive given the timing and his recent statements.

The backlash was immediate. Many questioned why an Indian community group would seemingly honour a figure who had openly ridiculed India’s armed forces. After the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, Afridi had gone on Pakistani television and said, “Tum logon ki 8 lakh hi fauj hai Kashmir mein aur yeh ho gaya. Iska matlab nalayak ho, nikamme ho na tum log security de nahi sake logon ko,” sharply criticising India’s military.

In the face of mounting criticism, CUBAA issued a clarification. The group claimed that Afridi and Gul were not invited and had only turned up at the same venue as part of a separate event related to a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest UAE flag with handprints.

“As our programme was concluding, these cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance. No member of our organising team, officials, or alumni members invited them or coordinated this appearance,” the statement read.

Afridi, known for both his explosive batting and his outspoken views, had also courted controversy recently for celebrating Pakistan’s response to India’s Operation Sindoor by leading a car rally in Karachi, projecting it as a moment of national triumph.

For many Indian diaspora members in Dubai, the sight of Afridi being welcomed by an Indian group—regardless of whether it was planned—felt like a betrayal of public sentiment. Critics say it highlights the need for greater sensitivity from community organisations when hosting public events, especially during emotionally charged times.

As emotions remain high following recent tensions between the two countries, the incident serves as a reminder that celebrity appearances—even spontaneous ones—can carry deep political and emotional weight.