Popular Indian comedian and Bollywood actor Kapil Sharma is facing flak for his involvement in a promotional event of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai on Wednesday, February 21.

The 36-year-old interacted with the likes of West Indies all-rounder and Zalmi captain Darren Sammy and Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez during a light-hearted session, a day before the opening ceremony of the third season of PSL, which will be played between February 22 and March 25.

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Sharma even exchanged banters with members of the franchise, who will be defending their title in the ongoing season. The celebrated comedian, known for his record-breaking show — Comedy Nights With Kapil — even passed a light-hearted comment on Akmal and his brothers and international cricketers, Umar and Adnan.

“You are three brothers; [with] one cousin playing top-level cricket — and you all have kids — it means Pakistan doesn’t need any other family in cricket,” Sharma told Kamran, as quoted by Geo.tv.

Zalmi’s chairman Javed Afridi also called Sharma “the best comedian” in the region and said his performance helped the players relax ahead of the commencement of the league. However, the defending champions lost the season opener to debutant Multan Sultans by seven wickets on Thursday, February 22.

Also, Indian fans on social media were upset with Sharma’s performance in Dubai as they pointed out the escalating cross-border tension between the two Asian neighbours. Notably, Bollywood has been apprehensive about casting Pakistani actors and artists in Indian films as various right-wing groups have vehemently protested such moves in the past.

A desperate Kapil Sharma whose arrogance and bad behaviour with colleagues in drunken state have royally screwed his career in India, promotes Pakistan Super League’s Peshawar Zalmi team for quick bucks.

This is horrible at a time when Pakistani terrorism is at its peak. pic.twitter.com/70geZwxZnF

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) February 22, 2018

Was that kapil sharma at PSL event involving PAKISTAN(DREADRED WORD IN INDIA)???
Ooopssss..boycott Squad must be awoken from their little sleep!!!! #HBLPSL

— Suhila Khursheed (@shaeliBhat7) February 22, 2018

While India has been fighting Terroristan Pakistan's regular terror attacks on India as well as loss of precious lives of Indian Soldiers, Kapil Sharma SHAMELESSLY promotes Pakistan Super League Peshawar Zalmi team #KapilSharma#BoycottKapilSharma pic.twitter.com/95YKgEkjMH

— Rosy (@rose_k01) February 22, 2018

Kapil Sharma lost his mind when he could not control his success and put an absurd tweet in the wee hrs of the night. Now just to grab some attention he is promoting Pakistan league. Shameless. @SuPriyoBabul @KapilSharmaK9

— Rakesh Kumar (@RakeshK35201130) February 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/realVivekTiwari/status/966749890175889408

https://twitter.com/IamShubhamHota/status/966864006236405760

Not only #BanPakArtists but also #BanIndianArtists who supports pakistan & who work for pakistan only for the sake of money.#KapilSharma shame on you

— Jagrati Gupta (@JagratiGupta3) February 22, 2018

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since a three-match ODI series in 2013 but have been meeting in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments. Also, Pakistan players have not been part of Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.

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The last meeting of India and Pakistan came in the Champions Trophy, where war-affected nation won the final after losing the opening encounter to India. The whole Pakistan was over the moon as they successfully take the redemption of successive defeats in last three years.