‘Don’t want to come between cricket and politics’ – Monty Panesar withdraws from KPL after alleged BCCI threats

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has pulled out from the upcoming Kashmir Premier League keeping in mind his ‘career in sports media’ and his wish to work in India. Panesar’s decision came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allegedly threatened foreign players over participating in the KPL, scheduled to start on August 6 in Muzaffarabad.

While being aware of the ‘consequences’ he would have to face, Panesar said that he didn’t want to get involved in political turmoil between India and Pakistan.

“I had the opportunity to play in the ‘KPL’ and I thought I could play again. However, I was advised that the BCCI is telling players who will play in the ‘Kashmir Premier League’ might face consequences. As I am just starting my career in sports media I want to work in India.

We want to work in India: Monty Panesar

“Therefore, I thought it would be better to not play in the ‘Kashmir Premier League’. I don’t wanna come between cricket and politics,” Panesar was quoted as saying in Republic World.

Going forward, Panesar looks forward to plying his trade in India. The veteran also stated that it’s a player’s decision whether to take part in the KPL or not.

“Every player will try to grab the opportunity to play again. But I hope if we don’t play the league, India will give us opportunities to work. We want to work in India. We want to do commentary, coaching in India,” he added.

Earlier, Herschelle Gibbs, the former South African cricketer, lashed out at the BCCI for their threatful messages over foreign players’ participation in the KPL. He termed the entire saga ‘ludicrous’ and slammed the Indian board for ‘bringing political equal with Pakistan into the equation’.

Later Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan cricketer, also tweeted the same. A number of foreign players, including Gibbs, Panesar and Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan were roped in for the tournament.

The matches will take place at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium with a decent crowd capacity of 18,000. The likes of Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik and others will lead their respective teams in the tournament.