An alumni association of Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Dubai is facing massive criticism on social media after footage emerged of them warmly welcoming former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi at a recent cultural event. The backlash comes in the wake of heightened tensions between both India and Pakistan following the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22 and Operation Sindoor Air strikes which led to a 4-day conflict between both the countries.
A video that has gone viral online shows Afridi being escorted on stage at the Ormachuvadukal Season 2 event — an inter-collegiate dance competition organised by the Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA). As Afridi enters, the cultural program is paused, and the crowd erupts into chants of "Boom Boom", referring to the cricketer’s nickname. Afridi responds, “Hogaya Boom Boom”, before praising Kerala and its cuisine in a short address to the audience.
Social media users have reacted sharply to the display of hospitality, accusing the Kerala-based group of "glorifying an anti-India figure" in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack. The criticism intensified due to Afridi's inflammatory statements made just days after the Pahalgam incident.
Speaking on Pakistan’s Samaa TV in April, Afridi had ridiculed the Indian Army's security capabilities in Kashmir, saying, “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 (You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir and this still happened. It means you are inefficient and useless if you can't provide security to the people).” He also mocked Indian media coverage of the terror attack, comparing it to a Bollywood production and indirectly targeted Indian cricketers who had criticised Pakistan’s alleged role in the attack.
One viral tweet posted by the handle MeghUpdates shared the video with the caption: “What a shame!! Desperate Keralites welcome this Anti-India Paki with 'Boom Boom' at an event in Dubai, especially after Pahalgam terror attack and his venomous stand against India.”
“Patriotism gone for a six… what a shame. Expected better from them,” wrote another user. Others questioned the lack of Indian representation at the event and called it a "disgraceful" moment for the diaspora.
In response to the outrage, CUBAA issued a formal statement clarifying that Afridi’s presence was neither planned nor invited by the organisers. According to the statement, the event venue — Pakistan Association Dubai — had been booked on April 5, weeks before the Pahalgam attack, and was selected for its affordability.
On the same day of their event, May 25, Shahid Afridi and other Pakistani cricketers were reportedly present at the venue for a separate Guinness World Record attempt involving the largest UAE flag made with handprints. The flag was displayed at the entrance of the auditorium where CUBAA’s event was being held.
"As our program was concluding, these cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance at our event, which was held in the same auditorium. We would like to categorically state that no member of our organizing team, officials, or alumni members invited them nor coordinated this appearance," CUBAA said.
The organisers said they were unable to restrict the entry or manage the crowd’s reaction due to the surprise nature of Afridi’s appearance. “We deeply regret any hurt or offense our actions may have caused. It was never our intention,” the statement added.