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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.'
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
ABVP demands action against Cochin University B Tech Alumni Association for hosting Pak cricketers in Dubai
Kochi (Kerala) [India], May 31 (ANI): The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has demanded strong action against the Cochin University B Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA) members for hosting Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul at a public event in Dubai last week. In an email memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ABVP Kerala State Secretary EU Eswaraprasad on Thursday called for immediate intervention, alleging that the event extended honour and hospitality to individuals known for anti-India rhetoric. In a letter to PM Modi, ABVP said, 'This is to bring to your attention an event that took place in the UAE, which is of anti-national interest. On 2025 May 25, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala alumni group named Cochin University BTech Alumni Association- CUBAA, mainly operating in UAE, has given a Kerala model reception to Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Omar Gul in a program being organised on the stage provided by the Pakistan embassy.' 'Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul, who are notorious for their frequent anti-Indian remarks, were given a warm reception. The Pahalgam attack against Innocent Indian civilians by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and the counter terrorism attack, Operation Sindoor, have made the country stay united against terrorism and the people who support it. It was not just a coincidence, but a well-planned propaganda. Pakistani media gave maximum publicity that the 'Indian community gives warm welcome to Shahid Afridi in Dubai.' 'They are trying to portray that the Government of India and the Indian community have different stands towards Pakistan. In this context, we request you to investigate the propaganda behind this act and to take stringent action on this matter. We request you to suspend the passports of all who are behind this act, who organised this event which was against our national interest,' the letter read. In a diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, the PM Modi government has formed seven multi-party delegations to inform nations about Pakistan's links to terrorism and India's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Seven all-party delegations are taking part in various outreach programmes in the countries they are assigned to. The delegations aim to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in France, the UK, Germany, the EU, Italy, and Denmark. The seven delegations are visiting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pak-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Gul set to join BD as bowling coach
Former Pakistan cricketer Umar Gul is set to take over as the new bowling coach of the Bangladesh cricket team. He will begin his tenure during Bangladesh's upcoming tour of Pakistan, where they are scheduled to play five T20Is in May. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has offered the 42-year-old Gul a three-month contract with the goal of developing their emerging fast-bowling talent for international cricket. Although the initial contract is for three months, there is potential for an extension until the 2027 World Cup, provided both parties are satisfied with the terms after the T20I series in Pakistan. Gul confirmed the offer to Telecom Asia Sport and mentioned that the final terms and conditions of the contract are still under discussion. "It's an exciting offer, and I look forward to it," he said. Gul, who was a key figure in Pakistan's 2009 T20 World Cup victory, has an impressive record in international cricket, having taken 163 wickets in Tests, 179 in ODIs, and 85 in T20Is. His standout performance came in the 2009 T20 World Cup semifinals against New Zealand, where he claimed five crucial wickets. In recent years, the former pacer has served as a bowling coach for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and he has also been the bowling coach for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The Bangladesh team boasts a promising group of fast bowlers, including Naheed Rana, who consistently bowls at 150 KPH. Other bowlers such as Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Khalid Hasan will benefit from Gul's expertise and guidance. It is pertinent to mention that Bangladesh is scheduled to travel to Pakistan for a five-match T20I series in May. Initially, Bangladesh was scheduled to tour Pakistan in May for three ODIs and as many T20Is under the Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, after discussions between the two boards, the series has been revised to feature five T20Is instead, as part of their preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Umar Gul joins Bangladesh cricket team as bowling coach for Pakistan tour
Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul will serve as Bangladesh's new bowling coach during their upcoming T20I tour of Pakistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed. Umar Gul, 42, will begin his tenure with Bangladesh during their five-match T20I series in May, as part of a short-term deal aimed at strengthening the team's fast-bowling department. The BCB has initially offered a three-month contract, with a possible extension through to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup depending on mutual satisfaction following the series. Gul confirmed the development, stating that while the final terms are still under discussion, he is looking forward to the challenge. 'It's an exciting offer, and I look forward to it,' Gul said. The former fast bowler was a central figure in Pakistan's 2009 T20 World Cup triumph, most notably taking 5 wickets for 6 runs in the semifinal against New Zealand. Over his international career, Gul picked up 163 wickets in Tests, 179 in ODIs, and 85 in T20Is. Post-retirement, Gul transitioned into coaching, serving in roles with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Recently, Gul was also seen training with Karachi Kings' player Abbas Afridi. Bangladesh's current pool of pacers includes Naheed Rana, who consistently bowls above 150 KPH, alongside Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Khalid Hasan. Gul's experience is expected to play a key role in their development ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026. He's the latest ex-Pakistani player to jump ship to coach other teams, after Younis Khan's 'mentor' role for Afghanistan's cricket team. The Bangladesh tour to Pakistan was originally set to include three ODIs and three T20Is under the Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, both boards later agreed to convert the series into five T20Is to better align with upcoming white-ball competitions. The five-match series will be held in May, though exact dates and venues are yet to be announced.
