'Completely unacceptable conduct from BCCI, can't be tolerated or ignored' - PCB amid Kashmir Premier League row

Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed displeasure over reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has called multiple ICC Members and forced them to withdraw their retired cricketers from the Kashmir Premier League.

The PCB accused the BCCI for breaching international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game by interfering in internal affairs of the ICC Members as the KPL has been approved by the PCB.

Earlier on July 31, former South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs accused the BCCI of threatening and pressurizing him not to participate in KPL owing to their political tensions with Pakistan. “Completely unnecessary of the BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me from playing in the KPL. Also, threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work,” tweeted Gibbs.

Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable: PCB Release

A PCB release dated July 31 read: “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.

“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.

“The PCB will raise this matter at the appropriate ICC forum and also reserves the right to take any further action that is available to us within the ICC charter.”

Earlier today, Director Cricket Operations Kashmir Premier League Taimoor Khan confirmed that the inaugural KPL edition will be played as per plans. “Kashmir Premier League will go ahead as planned. In case some foreign players cannot participate due to pressure then we will include Pakistan players who weren’t picked in the draft. It will be sad if local Kashmir players won’t be able to play alongside top foreign players and if they can’t share the dressing room with them. We are monitoring the situation from our channels (regarding foreign players),” he said.

The league is set to be played from August 6 to 17, 2021, in Muzaffarabad with six teams – Rawalakot Hawks, Kotli Lions, Mirpur Royals, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Overseas Warriors, and Bagh Stallions – battling it out for the trophy.