An alumni association of Kerala’s Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) based in Dubai has come under heavy criticism after a video surfaced online showing former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi being warmly welcomed at a cultural event they organised, even as tensions remain high between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor Air strikes, according to The Wire
The incident occurred at Ormachuvadukal Season 2, an inter-collegiate dance competition hosted by the Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA), where Afridi unexpectedly appeared and addressed the crowd briefly, drawing enthusiastic cheers from attendees who chanted his nickname.
The footage of the moment went viral, sparking a storm of criticism from social media users who accused the organisers of celebrating a figure who had recently made disparaging comments about the Indian Army in the wake of a deadly attack.
Afridi, who had earlier mocked Indian security forces and the media while speaking on a Pakistani television channel, had provoked outrage in India, especially after the April 22 terrorist incident in Pahalgam, which led to a four-day conflict between the two nations.
The video of his reception in Dubai gained further traction as users questioned the timing and nature of the warm welcome, calling it disrespectful and ill-timed, particularly in view of Afridi's recent public remarks and the emotional backdrop of the ongoing conflict.
Amid growing backlash, CUBAA released a formal statement asserting that Afridi’s presence at the event had been neither arranged nor expected, and clarified that the Pakistani cricketers had been attending a separate event at the same venue on the same day.
The alumni group explained that the venue, Pakistan Association Dubai, had been chosen for its affordability weeks before the Pahalgam attack and that Afridi’s appearance had coincided with the final moments of their programme, leading to confusion and crowd enthusiasm they had not anticipated or encouraged.
The organisers emphasised that no part of their team had invited or coordinated with Afridi or any other Pakistani cricketer, and expressed regret for any unintended hurt caused by the situation. They also noted that managing the crowd’s reaction was difficult due to the surprise nature of the celebrity's entry, and reiterated their stance that the appearance had not been part of their original event plan.