BCCI Threatening Me, Trying To Prevent Me Playing In Kashmir Premier League - Herschelle Gibbs

Former South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs has alleged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for “threatening” him of denying him all cricketing activities in the future in India if he participates in the upcoming Kashmir Premier League, which is set to commence on Friday, August 6 in Muzaffarabad,  Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

Herschelle Gibbs, along with former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan and former England spinner Monty Panesar, has been drafted among the six participating teams in the tournament.

The former Protea batsman took to Twitter to lambast the Indian board. He accused the BCCI of “trying to prevent me playing” in the inaugural edition of the league, which will run from August 6th to 16th, due to the political issues between India and Pakistan.

“Completely unnecessary of the @BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the @kpl_20 . Also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous,” Herschelle Gibbs tweeted.

Completely unnecessary of the @BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the @kpl_20 . Also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous ?

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 31, 2021

Earlier, former Pakistan wicket-keeper Rashid Latif had also stated that the BCCI was “warning cricket boards” to not send their players in the Kashmir Premier League.

The @BCCI warning cricket boards that if there former players took part in Kashmir Premier League, they won’t be allowed entry in India or allowed to work in Indian cricket at any level or in any capacity.
Gibbs, Dilshan, @MontyPanesar & several others have been selected in KPL.

— Rashid Latif | ?? (@iRashidLatif68) July 30, 2021

Legendary Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram is the founding vice-president while Shahid Afridi is the brand ambassador of the league. The KPL is accredited by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and the Government of Punjab, Pakistan.

Overseas Warriors, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions, Mirpur Royals, and Kotli Lions are the six teams in the inaugural season.

Renowned Pakistan players such as Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, and Kamran Akmal are the captains of their respective teams. Each team will have five players from Kashmir. All matches will be played at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium, which can hold 18,000 spectators.

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