A viral video claiming that former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi had died and was buried in Karachi sent shockwaves across social media. The clip, designed to mimic a professional news broadcast, featured an ambulance and alleged condolence messages from prominent personalities. However, investigations confirmed the video was fabricated using artificial intelligence, and Afridi is alive and in good health.

Why has Afridi been in the spotlight recently?

The controversy comes just days after Afridi sparked outrage in India for his inflammatory remarks following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. On Pakistani television, he accused Indian security forces of incompetence and dismissed Indian media coverage as exaggerated. His comments drew sharp criticism, particularly as tensions between India and Pakistan remain high.

In response to Afridi’s remarks and similar statements by others, the Indian government took action by banning the social media accounts and YouTube channels of several Pakistani public figures, including Afridi and fellow cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, citing the promotion of inflammatory content.