Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has rebuffed the claims of pro-Israeli group “North West Friends of Israel” that he endorsed the demand for the release of Israeli hostages

Shahid Afridi issued a statement on Thursday to clarify himself from controversy which stirred up after he was seen in a selfie alongside the Co Chair & Deputy Director of a private Israeli organisation named Northwest Friends of Israel.

Shahid Afridi has denied claims that he endorses the Zionist movement, shortly after Friends of Israel (FOI) — a grassroots organisation that advocates for Israel — posted a picture with the superstar cricketer, alleging he “stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages”.

Pakistani superstar cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi faced controversy after a pro-Israel account on Instagram claimed he supported a "Friends of Israel" event in the UK on Wednesday. Hours after the Instagram account posted Afridi's photo as an "endorsement" of the event in Manchester, Afridi responded on his X handle.

North West Friends of Israel, a pro-Israel group, has hit out at Shahid Afridi after the Pakistan legend refuted claims that he had offered his support to them in a tweet on Wednesday, June 20.

Former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi urged everyone to stop believing in everything that is uploaded on the internet and social media. His statement came after he courted controversy following a viral selfie with a group of Zionist members in the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday,