Players Playing In PoK-Based Kashmir Premier League Can’t Be Part Of Any Cricketing Activity In India: BCCI Official

A top official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clearly put out that any player participating in the upcoming Kashmir Premier League (KPL), which is a new T20 tournament organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), would not be allowed to take “part of any cricketing activity in India” in the future.

The PCB and the BCCI have locked horns since Saturday when Herschelle Gibbs alleged BCCI of “threatening” him of denying all cricketing activities in India if he participates in the KPL.

Then a few personnel from Pakistan – involved with the board and politics – have slammed BCCI for their involvement in the KPL. Now, a top BCCI official has retaliated with straight comments, stating that the KPL will be played in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in Muzaffarabad, and the board is standing firm with its government.

“While asking the boards not to allow their players to take part in the Kashmir league, we have informed them that in case they do, they can’t be part of any cricketing activity in India. We have done this keeping national interest in mind,” a top BCCI official told The Sunday Express.

“We have no problems with those playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but this is a league in PoK. We are toeing our government’s line.”

Herschelle Gibbs accused BCCI of preventing him and other overseas players to play in the KPL

The former South Africa opener took to Twitter claiming that he had been informally pressurized by the BCCI to pull out of the KPL, which will run from August 6 to 16. Along with Gibbs, former Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan and former England spinner Monty Panesar, have been drafted among the six participating teams in the tournament.

“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,” Gibbs tweeted.

The PCB then put out a format statement in a reaction to Gibbs’ claim. No other player has yet spoken on the issue.

The PCB said they will not tolerate such an act by the BCCI which “is completely unacceptable” and invoked the Spirit Of Cricket.

“The PCB considers that the BCCI has brought the game into disrepute by issuing warnings to multiple ICC Members to stop their retired cricketers from featuring in the Kashmir Premier League, further threatening they will not be allowed entry into India for cricket-related work,” the PCB said in its statement.

“Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable, against the preamble of the Spirit of Cricket and sets a dangerous precedent, which can neither be tolerated nor ignored,” it said.

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram is the founding vice-president while Shahid Afridi is the brand ambassador of the league. 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

In response, another BCCI official told The Indian Express: “We are not bothered about what statement PCB is putting out. We are mindful of Indian cricket and India.” 

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