Kashmir Premier League: BCCI Gives A Befitting Reply To PCB's Allegations

BCCI has given a befitting reply to Herschelle Gibbs and Pakistan Cricket Board, saying that the board is well within their rights to take decisions with respect to the cricketing ecosystem in India. 

BCC Logo, Photo Courtesy: AFP

Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif have 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.

Now, BCCI has given 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.

"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," the official added.

"They are welcome to raise the matter at the ICC and one can understand where this is coming from but the question that they need to ask themselves is whether it is on account of government interference in their working since the PM of Pakistan is officially their Patron as per their own constitution. It is time to consider whether this issue also ought to be raised at the ICC," said the official.