Pakistani former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi was embroiled in controversy after a pro-Israel Instagram account claimed he supported a "Friends of Israel" event in the United Kingdom on Wednesday.
Hours after the Instagram account shared Afridi's photo as an "endorsement" of the Manchester event, he reacted on his X handle.
"Imagine walking on a street in Manchester (UK) and so-called fans approaching you for a selfie. You oblige, and moments later, they upload it as some form of Zionist endorsement," he stated.
"Unbelievable! Please do not believe everything that is uploaded."
He clarified that the photo does not represent his support for any circumstance in which "human lives are at stake."
"Seeing innocent Palestinians suffer is heartbreaking. Any photo or association posted in Manchester does not indicate my support for any circumstance in which human lives are at risk," he stated.
"I take pictures with fans from all over the globe, and this situation was no different," he added.
The "NW Friends of Israel" Instagram account posted a photo of Afridi with two of its officials, writing, "Pakistani international cricketer @SAfridiOfficial stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages at our NWFOI vigil last Sunday in Manchester."
"Shahid is seen with NWFOI co-chair Raohi Bloom and deputy chair Bernie Yaffe. Thank you for your support," the account stated.