Picture Credit: Twitter
There is heightened tension around the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League. The drama seems to be only getting more and more intense with the passage of time and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put some serious allegations on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After former South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs took to Twitter to allege that BCCI was “threatening him” from participating in the league, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement saying that the BCCI has breached international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game.
And now former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has taken to social media to express his displeasure over the entire controversy. However, he added that they will continue and won't be deterred, irrespective of this kind of behaviour by the BCCI as they are mixing politics with cricket.
“Really disappointing that BCCI is once again mixing cricket and politics! KPL is a league for Kashmir, Pakistan and cricket fans around the world. We will put up a wonderful show and won’t be deterred with such behaviour!!”, read Afridi’s comment in response to Gibbs' tweet.
“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 by saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous”, Gibbs had tweeted.
Check out the tweet here:
"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," a PCB release dated July 31 quoted.
“Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable, against the preamble of the Spirit of Cricket and sets a dangerous precedence, which can neither be tolerated nor ignored," it added.
However, later on, Saturday, a BCCI official criticised the PCB for being confused about their own claims, saying that the Indian board has the right to make decisions related to cricket activities in India and it is of no concern to PCB.
Meanwhile, the Director of Cricket Operations at Kashmir Premier League, Taimoor Khan, has confirmed that the tournament will get underway as scheduled from August 6 to 17, 2021, with six teams competing in the competition in Muzaffarabad.