India, May 31 -- A Kerala community in Dubai is facing social media backlash after warmly welcoming former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi at a recent event. Netizens slammed the group for their hospitality, citing Shahid Afridi's remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22 and escalated India-Pakistan tensions thereafter.

In a widely circulated video on social media, Shahid Afridi is seen being welcomed on stage by the community amid loud cheers. He addresses the gathering and says he especially likes "the Kerala part in India and its food".

As Afridi arrived, the community members paused their cultural performance and broke into chants of "Boom Boom," referring to the cricketer's famous nickname. A...