Pratiksha Ghosh
Dubai, May 30, 2025 :Former Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi received an enthusiastic welcome from members of the Indian Kerala community in Dubai, despite recent political tensions surrounding his statements on a sensitive terror incident.
The warm reception took place during a cultural programme hosted by the expatriate community, which momentarily came to a halt upon Afridi’s arrival.
Eyewitnesses said the crowd erupted into cheers and chants of “Boom Boom,” a nickname affectionately associated with Afridi for his explosive batting style during his cricketing career.
Videos circulating on social media showed members of the Malayali diaspora interrupting their ongoing performances to greet the cricketer, capturing selfies and exchanging greetings with him.
This incident comes just days after reports emerged that the Indian government had banned access to Shahid Afridi’s YouTube channel within India. The move is said to be in response to Afridi’s comments defending Pakistan in connection with the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, an incident that New Delhi has attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups.
Sources in the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed that multiple digital platforms, including YouTube, were instructed to geo-block Afridi’s content in India under the IT Rules for spreading "content against national interest."
Afridi had earlier stirred controversy by making remarks perceived as justifying Pakistan’s role in the Pahalgam attack, sparking outrage among Indian viewers and political leaders. His statements were met with severe criticism on Indian social media, with many accusing him of whitewashing terrorism.
Despite the uproar in India, Afridi remains a popular figure in parts of the Indian diaspora, particularly among cricket fans in the Gulf. The Dubai event is a clear example of how sporting fame can sometimes transcend political boundaries, even as diplomatic relations remain strained.
The Indian government has not issued any official statement on the Dubai gathering, but political analysts note that public admiration for controversial figures outside India can complicate New Delhi's efforts to present a unified front against cross-border terrorism.
Meanwhile, community leaders from the Kerala group in Dubai have stated that the gathering was non-political and that Afridi was welcomed purely in his capacity as a celebrated sports personality.
