While there were allegations from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the BCCI was not allowing former cricketers to play in its Kashmir Premier League (KPL) which is scheduled in the Pak-occupied Kashmir, fans criticized former England spinner Monty Panesar for opting out of the tournament.
As fans were criticizing Panesar for backing out of the KPL to be staged in PoK, some even crossed the line and turned abusive. But the left-arm spinner made it quite clear that him opting out of the tournament has nothing to do with BCCI.
“I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues. I don't want to be in the middle of this, it would make me feel uncomfortable. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred” Panesar wrote on Twitter.
Have a look at Monty Panesar’s Tweet:
I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over kashmir issues. I don't want to be in the middle of this , it would make me feel uncomfortable. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 1, 2021
While there was a video that went viral where the English cricketer was explaining the consequences of playing the KPL, a Pakistani fan took a jibe at the 39-year-old as he wrote, “@BCCI BLACKMAILED @MontyPanesar successfully.”
After reading this tweet, the former England cricketer replied to the fan and made it clear that no one had blackmailed him and that it was completely his decision after knowing the consequences of playing KPL.
“I havent been blackmailed by anyone. I been given the advise I understand the consequences and it's my decision. So pipe down,” he replied to the fan on Twitter.
Here’s Monty Panesar’s reply to a Pakistani fan:
I havent been blackmailed by anyone. I been given the advise I understand the consequences and it's my decision. So pipe down. https://t.co/spFxTdwpcL
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 2, 2021
