The latest issue of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosting the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) in the Pak-occupied Kashmir (POK) has become quite a point of contention between them and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The PCB had announced a six-team T20 competition to be played in POK and featuring multiple foreign players like Herschelle Gibbs, Monty Panesar, and others. However, Gibbs tweeted that he had received communication that the BCCI was trying to block his participation and threatened him with not allowing him to do cricket-related work in India.
This led to the Pakistan board accusing BCCI of sabotaging their attempt to bring joy and relief to the residents of POK. The issue got more steam as BCCI wrote a complaint letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the unsanctioned league.
However, ICC washed hands off the issue saying that domestic leagues require the sanction of the home board.
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BCCI has made its stand abundantly clear that it will not engage with stakeholders who choose to participate in it is, in principle, a by-product of how it wishes to address an issue with potentially larger ramifications.
“Now that our stand has been spelt out loud and clear, this matter should rest. It’s not up for debate”. The BCCI has taken a stand that’s in line with not just the present governments but governments of the past. When it comes to the subject of POK, the BCCI’s stand is clear because the government of India’s stand is clear. So, where’s the debate?” say those who oversee the affairs of the Board.
And, if the BCCI has chosen to let other stakeholders in the game know about where it stands on the matter, there’s quite a degree of unanimity among its members and office-bearers that it is the right thing to do.
“And as I said, opinions are dime-a-dozen. A Herschelle Gibbs may have a mind of his own. So, he’s supposed to have one, but not the BCCI, is it?” say those tracking these developments.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has also tweeted in support of Gibbs saying that “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 behavior!!”
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England’s Monty Panesar recently pulled out of the Kashmir Premier League stating that he wants to do cricket-related media work in India and hence doesn’t want to jeopardize that opportunity by participating in the T20 tournament.
Times of India further reported that the Indian cricket board meanwhile finds it extremely ignorant on part of those who’ve been 'fueling this controversy'.
“The BCCI has a stand on the matter. It’s as simple as that. No sports federation anywhere in the world will have a viewpoint contrary to that of their government and the country. Give me an example and I’ll take it. The BCCI is not asking cricket boards to refrain from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), is it?” officials add.
There have been speculations that the England board might ask their players to pull of the contentious league given there is a chance of BCCI letting their players in the future editions of the Hundred.
Board officials, nevertheless, laughed that off. “Let me make this bit absolutely clear -- this subject doesn't come with an option of a barter,” says an official of the Indian board.”
(Times of India inputs)
