Hyderabad, Feb. 24 -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader andUnion minister Anurag Thakur faced significant backlash after a photograph of him with former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi during an India-Pakistan cricket match in Dubai wentviral.

The surprising association generated media buzz due to Afridi's previous controversial appeals and campaign. Afridi who has a history of being involved with the Pakistan Army is known for his vocal campaign on social media against India where he advocated to merge Kashmir with Pakistan.

The image shows BJP MP Thakur and Afridi sitting close in a classroom and watching the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match held in Dubai International Stadium.

The image was widely circulated on social media...