Exclusive: BCCI Advised Me To Stay Away From KPL And I Have Got Friends And Family In India- Monty Panesar

Former English spinner Monty Panesar has opened up on his evacuation from the disputed Kashmir Premier League after a lot of controversies surfaced around the league.

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is all set to conduct a franchise league tournament in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the name of Kashmir Premier League and there is a lot of political tension building around the league.

The Pakistan occupied Kashmir (Pok) has been the reason for political tension between India and Pakistan over the years due to its historic importance. Thus, conducting a league on the disputed land didn’t go down well with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the BCCI reportedly objected to the league’s commencement.

Monty Panesar Reveals Why He Left The Kashmir Premier League

A lot of former cricketers from various countries including Monty Panesar, Herschelle Gibbs, Tino Best, and Tillakaratne Dilshan had agreed to play in the league. However, after BCCI’s intrusion, Monty Panesar, the former English spinner decided to quit the tournament before its inception. In an exclusive chat with Cricketaddictor, Monty has opened up as to why he decided to leave the Kashmir Premier League.

“I was advised by the BCCI to stay away from the KPL and I sort of understood that if I did participate in the KPL, then in the future, I might not get an Indian VISA. I understood that if I didn’t participate in the KPL then at least I can visit my family and friends in India. It’s still important for me to visit my family and friends in India,” Monty Panesar said.

“I just thought it was too much of a risk for me to be denied entry in India if I participated in the KPL,” Monty further added.

The PCB Hasn’t Communicated In Any Manner After My Refusal To Participate: Monty Panesar

Notably, Monty Panesar refused to participate in the KPL after a lot of controversies arose around the league and he announced the decision via a social media post. On being asked if the Pakistan Cricket Board has tried to contact him in any manner, here’s what Monty had to say.

“I haven’t received any messages from the PCB and obviously it’s self-explanatory.” The franchise cricket tournament in the disputed area is set to commence from August 06 with a total of six teams participating in the league.

The BCCI has reportedly strongly objected to the KPL and they also wrote to the ICC to not recognize the league. The BCCI has also reportedly warned the international boards against sending their former players to play in the league.