May 31, 2025: A Kerala-based alumni group in Dubai has found itself at the center of a controversy after former Pakistan cricket star Shahid Afridi made an appearance at their cultural event, just weeks after making inflammatory remarks about India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
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The event, organised by the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA), was held on May 25 at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD). Afridi, accompanied by fellow ex-cricketer Umar Gul, was seen on stage being enthusiastically welcomed by the audience. Videos from the event, now widely circulated on social media, show attendees cheering “Boom Boom” — a popular nickname for Afridi — to which he responded, “Hogaya Boom Boom.”
The appearance has been sharply criticized by Indian social media users, who see it as an affront given Afridi’s history of anti-India statements and recent controversial comments following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 civilian lives.
CUBAA Responds to Backlash
Facing mounting backlash, CUBAA released an official statement distancing itself from the cricketers’ attendance. The association claimed that Afridi and Gul were not invited and their appearance was incidental.
“On May 25, 2025, the aforementioned cricketers visited the same venue as part of the Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest UAE Flag with Handprints,” the statement said.
“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 organising team, officials or alumni members invited them nor coordinated this appearance.”
However, critics argue that allowing Afridi on stage without intervention, especially in such a politically sensitive context, showed a lack of judgement.
Afridi’s Controversial Record
The backlash was exacerbated by Afridi’s recent appearance on Pakistani television, where he mocked India’s security apparatus after the deadly Pahalgam attack.
“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,” Afridi had said.
(Translation: “You have an 800,000-strong army in Kashmir and this still happened. That means you’re incompetent and useless if you couldn’t protect the people.”)
The former cricketer has also drawn criticism for leading a car rally in Pakistan celebrating what he described as a “victory” following India’s Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces conducted targeted strikes on Pakistani military posts along the border.
Diaspora Divided
Afridi’s surprise appearance at a Keralite community event in Dubai has triggered a broader discussion about the responsibilities of diaspora organizations, especially in politically tense climates. Many members of the Indian diaspora have expressed dismay at the turn of events, stating that the optics damage the reputation of Indian communities abroad.
“This is not just about cricket or community — it’s about timing, sensitivity, and values,” said a Dubai-based Indian professional on X (formerly Twitter).
While CUBAA maintains it had no role in facilitating Afridi’s appearance, the incident has underlined the need for more careful curation and oversight of public platforms, especially when figures with known political or controversial stances are present.