A viral video showing Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul being welcomed at a Kerala community event in Dubai has led to a storm of criticism online. The organisers, Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA), have now issued a formal clarification, distancing themselves from the two Pakistani cricketers and apologising for the incident.
The controversy erupted after footage from the Ormachuvadukal Season 2 inter-collegiate dance competition, held on May 25, 2025, at Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), showed Afridi receiving loud cheers and chants of “Boom Boom” from the crowd. As Afridi responded with “Hogaya Boom Boom,” social media users expressed outrage, especially in the wake of his recent controversial remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack.
Organisers Deny Inviting Afridi or Gul
"The Mysterious India Series": Shahid Afridi criticizes India and the Indian armed forces while supporting extremists, yet the Indian community from Kerala in Dubai welcomes him." My head bows in shame and my blood boils. What would that soldier on borders would think when he… pic.twitter.com/kYU4pmKos8
— Lt Col Sushil Singh Sheoran, Veteran (@SushilS27538625) May 30, 2025
CUBAA clarified that neither Afridi nor Gul were on their guest list. The association stated that the two cricketers were present at the PAD venue for a completely different event — a Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest UAE Flag made with Handprints — on the same day. This information was also published in a Gulf News report dated May 27, 2025.
Releasing a statement titled “Unplanned Appearance at Our Recent Event”, CUBAA explained that the cricketers’ arrival was both unannounced and unsolicited.
“No member of our team, officials, or alumni had invited them or coordinated this appearance. Our official event schedule does not list them as guests,” the statement read.
CUBAA mentioned that the interaction occurred so suddenly that they were unable to restrict access or control the crowd’s reaction. “We deeply regret any confusion or hurt caused,” it added. “It was never our intention to cause offense, and we sincerely apologize to anyone affected. We remain committed to upholding the cultural and inclusive values of our country.”
They also clarified that the PAD venue had been booked back on April 5, before diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. “We chose the venue again this year due to its affordability, as we did for Season 1. By the time of our event, tensions had eased, and with no alternative available on short notice, we went ahead as planned,” the statement said.
Afridi’s Controversial Comments on Pahalgam Attack
The backlash intensified because of Afridi’s previous remarks related to India and the recent Pahalgam terror attack. On Pakistan’s Samaa TV in April, he commented, “Even if a firecracker were to burst in India, fingers will always be pointed at Pakistan.” He went further, 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.”
(Translation: 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.)
Afridi also mocked Indian media coverage of the incident, likening it to a Bollywood production and seemingly targeting Indian cricketers for blaming Pakistan.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack, adding to the outrage over Afridi’s presence at the Dubai event.
Social Media Reactions: “What a Shame!”
Outrage poured in as the video circulated widely online. One post on X (formerly Twitter) said:
“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.”
Another user posted, “Patriotism gone for a six… what a shame. Expected better from them (Kerala community).”
A third questioned, “How much Disloyal can you be to your nation…learn from the most literate people… Disgraceful!”
Others expressed disbelief that Indian-origin individuals would participate in such an incident, stating, “Don’t they have anyone from India origin!! Shame to see these happen.”
