Days after leading a pro-Kashmir rally in Karachi and mocking Indian forces on national television, Shahid Afridi popped up in the most unexpected of places — a student cultural night hosted by Indian alumni in Dubai.

The former Pakistan cricket captain, known as much for his on-field flair as his off-field provocations, walked on stage to cheers and chants of “Boom Boom” at an event organised by the Cochin University B.Tech Alumni Association (CUBAA) on May 25.

In a now-viral video, Afridi is seen smirking and responding, “Hogaya Boom Boom,” as the crowd erupts.

Days earlier, Afridi had taken potshots at India’s military presence in Kashmir during a TV appearance and accused Indian media of turning terror incidents into “Bollywood fiction.”

Several social media users, especially from Kerala, called the moment “unforgivable” and “a betrayal of national sentiment.”

“What a shame! Desperate Keralites welcome this anti-India Paki, especially after Pahalgam,” one tweet read. Another noted, “Patriotism gone for a six… Expected better.”

CUBAA, a non-political group of Indian expats, insists the cricketer’s presence was a surprise to them.

In a statement titled “CUBAA Clarifies Unplanned Appearance at Our Event”, the organisers said Afridi and fellow ex-cricketer Umar Gul were present at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) for a Guinness World Record attempt for the “Largest UAE Flag with handprints.”

That event, they say, happened to coincide with their cultural show, Ormachuvadukal Season 2, held in the same venue.

The group claimed their team extended no coordination or invitation and alumni or student participants knew of the visit in advance.

“Given the surprise nature of their visit, we were unable to restrict their access or manage the crowd response appropriately in that short period.”

CUBAA also faced flak for choosing PAD, a Pakistani cultural hub, as its venue. The group clarified that the decision was logistical, citing affordability and scheduling constraints.

“We had officially booked PAD Dubai on April 5, well before recent geopolitical tensions” the statement read.

“As our programme was concluding, the cricketers made an unannounced entry into the auditorium,” it added.

Appearing on Pakistan’s Samaa TV in April, Afridi had scoffed at India’s ability to secure Kashmir.

“You have 800,000 troops in Kashmir, and still this happened? You’re clearly incapable of providing security,” he said, referring to the Pahalgam terror attack.

He further suggested the attack had been exaggerated by Indian media: “Bollywood drama bana diya gaya hai,” he added, while indirectly mocking Indian cricketers who had condemned Pakistan-based terrorism.

On May 12, Shahid Afridi led a rally in Karachi, criticising India’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack and calling for “freedom for Kashmir.”