I Haven't Been Blackmailed By Anyone, It's My Decision - Monty Panesar Explains His Decision To Pull Out Of Kashmir Premier League

Former England spinner Monty Panesar cleared out that he hasn’t been blackmailed or pressurized by anyone for his decision to pull out of the upcoming Kashmir Premier League (KPL), which has been in controversy in the past few days.

The inaugural edition of the KPL is to start on August 6th. The six-team tournament will be played at the Muzaffarabad cricket stadium in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The issue blew up after a tweet from Herschelle Gibbs alleging the BCCI of “threatening” him of denying all cricketing activities in India if he participates in the KPL. The PCB then put out an official statement slamming the Indian board, who retaliated with their own statements to different news agencies.

Now, ultimately, Monty Panesar, who was drafted in the league, withdrew from the tournament. He tweeted his decision stating that he wouldn’t want to get caught in the middle of the tension between the two boards.

“I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues. I don’t want to be in the middle of this , it would make me feel uncomfortable,” the former spinner tweeted.

I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over kashmir issues. I don't want to be in the middle of this , it would make me feel uncomfortable. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 1, 2021

I understand the consequences and it’s my decision: Monty Panesar

Then a Twitter user said the Englishman was being blackmailed by the BCCI. To which Monty Panesar made it transparent that he wasn’t under any threat from anyone, and had pulled out due to the advice from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) members.

“I havent been blackmailed by anyone. I been given the advise I understand the consequences and it’s my decision. So pipe down,” Monty Panesar replied.

I havent been blackmailed by anyone. I been given the advise I understand the consequences and it's my decision. So pipe down. https://t.co/spFxTdwpcL

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 2, 2021

Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, and Shadab Khan are the captains of the six teams. Other overseas players include Matt Prior, Phil Mustard, Tino Best, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and Herschelle Gibbs.

Several reports stated that the BCCI has made itself very clear that if these overseas players participate in the KPL, they won’t be allowed to work in cricket-related activities in India in the future.

I'm sorry I can only follow the advise given by @ECB_cricket @PCA. So I am staying home buddy. https://t.co/mS4W2zCcY8

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 2, 2021

Also Read: England Players’ Availability for the IPL 2021 Confirmed by the BCCI