News Brief
Kerala Expat Group In UAE Apologises After Pakistani Cricketer Shahid Afridi’s Appearance At Event Sparks Outrage
Shahid Afridi
The UAE-based Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA) has issued an apology after facing intense online backlash for a viral video showing Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi being warmly welcomed at one of their events in Dubai, reported PTI.
The association clarified that his appearance was "unannounced and unsolicited".
The controversy erupted after video emerged from a recent inter-collegiate dance competition hosted by CUBAA, where Afridi was cheered by the audience and addressed the gathering, even praising Kerala and its cuisines.
The video, which quickly went viral across social media platforms, drew sharp criticism from netizens, due to Afridi’s past critical remarks about India and its armed forces following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Describing the incident as “shameful”, users questioned why someone “who has been trash-talking our country” was being cheered.
In a detailed Instagram post issued on Friday (30 May), the organisers apologised and explained the circumstances.
They clarified that the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) auditorium was chosen for the event long before recent diplomatic tensions, and that it had been used for the previous year’s edition as well due to its affordability.
“At the time of our event, the diplomatic tensions had already eased,” CUBAA said.
Afridi, along with other cricketers, reportedly entered the venue for a separate programme and made an unexpected appearance during the concluding moments of the Kerala community’s event.
“We would like to categorically state that no member of our organising team, officials or alumni members invited them nor coordinated this appearance,” the organisers stated.
