The YouTube and Instagram accounts of Shahid Afridi were available in India, leaving netizens furious. Along with Afridi, channels of Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Rashid Latif were also viewable in India. The accounts were suspended by the Indian government on recommendation from the Ministry of Home Affairs after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April for disseminating “provocative content, false narratives, and misinformation” against India, its Army, and security agencies.

The restoration of the accounts stirred a storm on social media, with many calling it “shameful.”

Earlier in the day, there were reports that India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the Asia Cup on September 7 in Dubai. Following the Pahalgam incident, rumours were doing the rounds that India could boycott playing Pakistan in all events. For the unversed, the teams last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 and since have only clashed in ICC events, and Asia Cup.

However, the recent reports suggest the teams might continue playing in the global events. The Asia Cup 2025 will reportedly start on September 5, with the final on September 21. A 17-day window has been given for the competition that will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and the UAE.

Earlier, there were claims that India might pull out of the Asia Cup, but the BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, refuted the claims.

“The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level," Saikia had said in a statement. “… till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding ensuing ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC. At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women."