"Our Stand Has Been Spelled Out Loud and Clear. The Matter Should Rest"- BCCI On The KPL Issue

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that it has already made its stance loud and clear on the impending Kashmir Premier League (KPL) that is being played in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The BCCI recently made it clear to the stakeholders on their participation in the aforementioned controversial league.

Earlier, Herschelle Gibbs allegedly said that the apex board of India had threatened him in regards to engaging in the KPL. He tweeted out a message which was backed up by Shahid Afridi. Both of them accused the Indian board of bringing political agenda into a sport. Monty Panesar, who was also part of a franchise in the league, backed out citing he doesn’t want to come in between two nations’ political issues.

Talking about the same matter, a BCCI official stated that the board has already made its stand clear. He also said that the issue isn’t up for debate because of the Indian government’s stand on POK.

“Now that our stand has been spelled out loud and clear, this matter should rest. It is not up for debate. The BCCI has taken a stand that’s in line with not just the present governments but the governments of the past. When it comes to POK, the BCCI’s stand is clear because the government’s stand is clear. So where’s the debate?”

“And as I said, opinions are dime-a-dozen. A Herschelle Gibbs may have a mind of his own. So he’s supposed to have on but not the BCCI is it?” the official questioned.

“No sports federation has a viewpoint contrary to that of their government’s” – BCCI

The official continued stating that Gibbs is free to do whatever he wants. That will not change the stand of the Indian board nor is it forcing someone to stay away from Pakistan-related events like the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“The Indian board is making it abundantly clear that it has a stand on the issue that will not change. So where’s the debate? If he (Gibbs) still wants to go ahead and play, he’s free to do so,” he said.

Following BCCI’s stance on the matter, PCB went to ICC in order to resolve the issue. They, however, refused to interfere in the matter given that it’s not an international tournament and so it’s out of their jurisdiction. Meanwhile, the Indian board also condemned the acts of the people who have been rigorously trying to incite the matter.

“No sports federation in the world will have a viewpoint contrary to that of their government and the country. Give me an example and I’ll take it. The BCCI is not asking cricket boards to refrain from participating in the Pakistan Super League, is it?” the official concluded.

The controversial KPL has already gained a lot of traction following the accusations from players. Whether or not the players will go ahead and participate is yet to be seen.