Picture Credit: Twitter
Amid all the controversies surrounding the newly formulated Kashmir Premier League (KPL), players have started reacting and withdrawing from the league. Former England spinner Monty Panesar has decided to pull out from the league. Panesar, who was slated to represent the Kotli Lions, took to Twitter to announce his decision.
Monty Panesar, on Sunday, tweeted that he will not participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues. “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,” tweeted Panesar from his official account.
A few days ago, former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs had put allegations on the BCCI for preventing him from playing in the KPL. “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,” Gibbs had tweeted.
However, a BCCI official replied on this issue and called it ‘confusion’ and said that “one can neither confirm nor deny the veracity of the statement made by a player who has figured in a CBI investigation.”
BCCI has urged ICC to not recognise Kashmir Premier League
The BCCI took one step further in this KPL row and has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not recognise the Kashmir Premier League. The basis of the BCCI's complaint is centred around the status of Kashmir as a disputed territory. Also, it is to be seen whether matches can be played in such territories and it's a central place in the long-running dispute between the two countries. However, it's worth noting that approval for such domestic leagues is given by the Full Member country in which the tournament is being played, and in this case, KPL has the PCB's approval.
The all-new Kashmir Premier League (KPL) is all set to start on August 6. Six teams namely Overseas Warriors, Rawalkot Hawks, Kotli Lions, Mirpur Royals, Muzaffarabad Tigers, and Bagh Stallions will be participating in the T20 League.