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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Cricket has power to bring people, countries closer': Shahid Afridi on Pak-India relations
Shahid Afridi stressed the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan during an interview with Khaleej Times on Monday, citing how 'cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer.' Afridi spoke about the importance of dialogue and interpersonal connections in resolving issues between India and Pakistan. 'If our politicians won't talk and we don't play each other, how will we ever solve anything?' he was further quoted as saying. Afridi was addressing a recent controversy where himself and former teammate Umar Gul were seen receiving a warm welcome by Keralites at an inter-collegiate dance event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) building on May 25. Footage from the event showing Afridi being cheered by a largely Indian crowd quickly spread on social media, fuelling criticism in India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Calling the reaction 'uncalled for', he sad, 'let's not politicise things, it wasn't even a planned appearance.' He explained how in the past 'the respect I received in India as a cricketer and as a captain of Pakistan has been overwhelming.' 'I've said it before and I'll say it again: the love I got there, I didn't get anywhere else, not even in Pakistan,' he was quoted as saying in Khaleej Times. 'Troubling mindset': FO rejects Indian leadership's remarks He added how he often interacts with members of the Asian community and enjoys those conversations. 'I meet so many Indians wherever I go. We chat, we joke, we share cricket memories. There's mutual respect. It's always a pleasure.'
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer': Afridi on Pak-India relations
Shahid Afridi addressed India-Pakistan relations in an interview with Khaleej Times on Monday, citing how 'cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer', while speaking about the love he has received in India among fans. Afridi was addressing a recent controversy where himself and former teammate Umar Gul were seen receiving a warm welcome by Keralites at an inter-collegiate dance event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) building on May 25. Footage from the event showing Afridi being cheered by a largely Indian crowd quickly spread on social media, fuelling criticism in India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Calling the reaction 'uncalled for', he sad, 'let's not politicise things, it wasn't even a planned appearance.' He explained how in the past 'the respect I received in India as a cricketer and as a captain of Pakistan has been overwhelming.' 'I've said it before and I'll say it again: the love I got there, I didn't get anywhere else, not even in Pakistan,' he was quoted as saying in Khaleej Times. 'Troubling mindset': FO rejects Indian leadership's remarks He added how he often interacts with members of the Asian community and enjoys those conversations. 'I meet so many Indians wherever I go. We chat, we joke, we share cricket memories. There's mutual respect. It's always a pleasure.' Afridi stressed the importance of dialogue and interpersonal connections in resolving issues between India and Pakistan. 'If our politicians won't talk and we don't play each other, how will we ever solve anything?' he was further quoted as saying.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
Shahid Afridi breaks silence over Dubai event row, calls outrage 'uncalled for'
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has spoken out for the first time since a recent event in Dubai triggered backlash in India. He said he was surprised by the outrage and reiterated his long-held belief that sports should rise above politics. In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, the flamboyant all-rounder, nicknamed Boom Boom for his explosive batting, dismissed the criticism as 'uncalled for' 'Let's not politicise things,' Afridi said. 'It wasn't even a planned appearance.' The controversy erupted after Afridi and his former teammate Umar Gul were seen receiving a warm welcome by Keralites at an inter-collegiate dance event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) building on May 25. The event, reportedly hosted by the alumni association of India's Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUBAA), coincided with Afridi's visit to PAD to celebrate a Guinness World Record for the most contributions to a handprint painting. Afridi, who also runs a fitness centre at the PAD facility, said some Indians spotted him and Umar Gul at the venue and invited them in. 'They were just excited to see us. We were happy to meet them and share a few light moments. That's all it was,' he said. Footage from the event showing Afridi being cheered by a largely Indian crowd quickly spread on social media, fueling criticism from certain groups in India amid ongoing tensions between the two nations. Afridi, however, urged calm. 'This kind of reaction is uncalled for. I've always supported sports diplomacy,' he said. 'Cricket has the power to bring people and countries closer. That's something I've believed in throughout my career.' He recalled with fondness his cricket tours to India, calling them some of the most memorable experiences of his life. 'To be honest, the respect I received in India as a cricketer and as a captain of Pakistan was overwhelming. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the love I got there, I didn't get anywhere else, not even in Pakistan,' Afridi said. Afridi stressed the importance of dialogue and people-to-people connections in resolving issues between India and Pakistan. 'If our politicians won't talk and we don't play each other, how will we ever solve anything?' he asked. Afridi said he often interacts with members of the Asian community and enjoys those conversations. 'I meet so many Indians wherever I go. We chat, we joke, we share cricket memories. There's mutual respect. It's always a pleasure.'
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kerala alumni association apologises for hosting Afridi in Dubai following social media backlash
In the video, the crowd is seen cheering Afridi and chanting his nickname 'boom boom'. The warm hospitality being extended to Afridi didn't go down well with a large section of social media users who then stormed the accounts of CUBAA office-bearers and attacked them for 'shamelessly' hosting the cricketer who had used every opportunity to demean India. When a social media user described the act as "shameful", another netizen said "they are fetting someone who has been trash-talking our country." As the incident triggered a widespread row, the CUBAA office-bearers, on Friday came out with an Instagram post expressing apology over the incident and said it was not intentional. Without naming Afridi, they said they had booked Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) as a venue of the second season of an inter-collegiate dance competition much before the tension between India and Pakistan. The same venue was used for the first season of the event last year also due to its affordability, the statement said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Row over Afridi's appearance at Dubai Cusat alumni event, univ denies links
Kochi: The participation of Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul in an inter-collegiate dance event organised by an alumni association of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in Dubai on May 25 has sparked outrage. The association — Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA), UAE — issued an apology, saying the incident was not intentional, after a video of Afridi being welcomed at the event went viral. The event was held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD). Cusat, however, said it had no affiliation, association or connection with the organisation, CUBAA UAE. It said in a statement that its official alumni organisation was the Cusat Alumni Network (CAN) and it was not aware of the programme organised in Dubai. In the video, the crowd can be seen cheering Afridi and chanting his nickname "Boom Boom" as he addressed the gathering. Several outfits affiliated with the Sangh Parivar criticised the organisers for inviting Afridi to the event. Afridi had made several anti-India remarks, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack . Former BJP state president K Surendran accused the organisers of disrespecting Indians who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. "If not traitors, what else can you call the Malayali organisation that brought Pakistani cricketers for a celebration in Dubai," he said in a Facebook post. ABVP has called for the cancellation of the passports of CUBAA UAE office-bearers and submitted complaints to the Prime Minister and the ministry of external affairs. ABVP Kerala state secretary EU Eswaraprasad said Afridi had expressed support for terrorist groups hostile to India. "The alumni association's approach is suspicious and the event, held in the presence of anti-India forces, undermined the martyrdom of Pahalgam victims and humiliated India globally," he said. The event organisers, meanwhile, released a detailed statement, saying the appearance of the Pakistani cricketers was entirely unplanned. Without naming Afridi, they said PAD was booked for the second season of their inter-collegiate dance competition well before the escalation of India-Pakistan tensions. The first season was also organised at the venue last year, due to its affordability, they said in a statement. "At the time of our event, diplomatic tensions had already eased. Due to the unavailability of an alternative venue at short notice, we proceeded with the programme as scheduled at PAD," it added. CUBAA representatives also claimed that the cricketers had come to the auditorium for another event on the day. "As our programme was concluding, the cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance... We would like to categorically state that no member of our organising team, officials or alumni invited them or coordinated this appearance. The official schedule of the event we published, which does not include these individuals as guests, supports this," they said. The organisers further said they could not manage the crowd appropriately as the cricketers' visit was a surprise. "We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to attendees, participants or supporters due to this unplanned development. We deeply regret any hurt or offence our actions may have caused. It was never our intention, and we sincerely apologise to those affected," they added.
