'Disappointing that BCCI is mixing cricket and politics again, but we will not be deterred' - Shahid Afridi amid Kashmir Premier League row

The tension around the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League is not coming to an end, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) casting some serious allegations against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

After former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs took to Twitter to reveal how the BCCI was “preventing him” from participating in the league, the PCB issued a statement alleging the BCCI for breaching international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game. More recently, the former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi took to Twitter to express displeasure over the entire KPL row.

“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 response to Gibbs’ tweet from July 31.

“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 had tweeted.

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.

However, later on July 31 (Saturday), a BCCI official lambasted the PCB for being confused about their claims, stating that Indian board has the right to take decisions related to cricket in India.

“PCB is coming across as confused. Just the way the decision to not allow players of Pakistani origin to participate in the IPL cannot be construed as interfering in the internal affairs of an ICC member, the decision, if any, to allow or disallow anyone from participating in any manner with cricket within India is purely an internal matter of the BCCI.”

Meanwhile, Director Cricket Operations Kashmir Premier League Taimoor Khan confirmed that the league will go ahead as per schedule from August 6 to 17th, 2021, with six teams battling it out in Muzaffarabad.