BCCI should support Kashmir Premier League and not create hurdles: Kamran Akmal

The Kashmir Premier League (KPL) has garnered eyeballs right since its announcement. While some have supported the new league, the others have been pulled out even before the first ball was bowled due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. Kamran Akmal, though, feels KPL needs to be supported and backed by India.

Akmal feels the sport should always be encouraged and, KPL needs the backing for its success in the first year. While Monty Panesar backed out of the tournament citing personal reasons, Herschelle Gibbs claimed that he was threatened by the BCCI for taking part in the league. For the same, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) soon released a statement, to which the BCCI was quick to respond about what they did was right and within the laws of the country.

Speaking about the same on his YouTube channel, Akmal opened up the KPL and shared the video for the same, “It was not easy to organize KPL at such a scale in Muzaffarabad. There were a lot of difficulties and hurdles faced. You would have read how players were stopped from coming here. According to me, when it comes to sports, one country should support the other and not create hurdles. That is not good at all. Sports is something that unites.”

Monty Panesar clarifies his stance for not participating in KPL

Monty Panesar clarified in his tweet that it was not BCCI who threatened him, but rather the decision of the England Cricket Board (ECB) and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) for him not to take part in the inaugural edition of KPL. Also, the former left-arm spinner mentioned in his tweet how the political tensions between Pakistan and India are making him uncomfortable playing KPL.

“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.”

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

One of the players Tillakaratne Dilshan has confirmed his participation for the entire duration of the tournament. The news was confirmed by the owner of Muzaffarabad Tigers.