The Kashmir Premier League (KPL) has not even started yet, but the controversy over it is getting heated up. The controversy started with a tweet from former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs in which he had accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of warning cricket boards that if their former players took part in Kashmir Premier League, they won’t be allowed entry in India or allowed to work in Indian cricket at any level or in any capacity.
On this, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also made serious allegations against the BCCI, saying that the India cricketing board is violating international rules and also hurting the spirit of the Gentleman's Game. Now former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has also jumped into this controversy by taking a dig at BCCI on social media.
While replying to Gibbs's tweet, Afridi wrote, "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!!'
On July 31, BCCI gave a befitting reply to Herschelle Gibbs and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), saying that the board is well within their rights to take decisions with respect to the cricketing ecosystem in India.
"While one can neither confirm or deny the veracity of the statement made by a former player who has figured in a CBI investigation into match-fixing earlier, the PCB must understand that even if Gibb's statement is assumed to be true, the BCCI would be well within their rights to take decisions with respect to the cricketing ecosystem in India. The fact that the Indian cricketing ecosystem is the most sought after for cricketing opportunities globally, should not be envied by the PCB," an official told ANI.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Premier League Operations Director Taimur Khan has confirmed that the league will be played on its original schedule - 6 to 17 August in Muzaffarabad. Six teams will participate in this league.