Watch: Dubai's Indian Kerala community cheers for Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul
Former cricket stars in UAE to celebrate handprint flag world record by PAD
DUBAI: In a heartfelt demonstration of cross-border goodwill, former Pakistani cricket icons Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul received a rapturous welcome from the Indian community during an event held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD).
The warm reception underscored the strong cultural bonds between Pakistani and Indian residents of the United Arab Emirates, transcending decades of sporting rivalry and political tensions.
Amid an atmosphere charged with excitement and unity, members of the Kerala community from India paused their own cultural programme upon Afridi’s arrival, erupting into chants of “Boom Boom” – a nickname associated with the all-rounder’s explosive playing style.
The crowd invited him to join them on stage, where the former captain shared light-hearted moments and praise for Indian fans, especially those from Kerala.
Unity in Dubai
Speaking to the attendees, Afridi expressed his admiration for the people of Kerala, highlighting their warm hospitality and rich food culture. “On the field, we played tough matches, but off the field, our relations have always been friendly,” he said. “I often watch videos of Kerala’s food on YouTube. It’s a beautiful place with exquisite cuisine.”
The crowd roared with laughter and applause when Afridi jokingly said, “No more Boom Boom – I’m the old Boom Boom now,” in response to fans chanting his nickname. This moment of humour further added to the celebratory mood, with Pakistani and Indian attendees interacting, taking selfies, and shaking hands.
Umar Gul, the legendary fast bowler known for his fierce spells in T20 cricket, also attended the event and shared the stage with Afridi. His presence added to the nostalgia and excitement among fans from both communities.
Record-breaking flag
The reason for Afridi and Gul’s presence in Dubai extended beyond community interaction. They were there to participate in the official recognition of a new Guinness World Record for the Largest UAE Flag with Handprints – a remarkable feat that brought together over 24,514 individual handprints from more than 100 nationalities.
The flag, designed as part of the "Hands of Unity" campaign, was a collaborative project between Pakistan Association Dubai, Emirates Loves Pakistan, and artist Rubab Zahra. The campaign spanned 39 activation sites and included participation from 23 schools and universities across the Emirates.
“This is a country that unites 100+ nationalities – and you can see that reflected in these 24,000+ handprints,” said Afridi at the unveiling. “Special thanks to Mariam who worked so hard, and to the entire PAD team whose efforts made this world record possible. It's a team game, and they worked like a true team.”
Spirit of togetherness
Umar Gul echoed Afridi’s sentiments, expressing appreciation for the harmony on display. “It’s amazing to be here at Pakistan Association Dubai. I’ve heard over 100 nationalities contributed to these handprints. It’s so inspiring to see this bond of love between such a diverse community,” he said. “This is exactly what we want to see in the world – peace and social cohesion.”
The significance of the moment was not lost on the organisers. Dr Faisel Ikram, President of PAD, highlighted how the event captured the essence of the UAE’s multicultural ethos. “We were honoured to host Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul at PAD for this very special moment. Their presence reminded us of the strength of unity – not just in sport, but across communities,” he said. “This record is our token of appreciation for the UAE, which is home to almost two million Pakistanis and a country that leads with values of tolerance and togetherness.”