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BCCI urges ICC not to recognize Kashmir Premier League
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Follow UsMonty Panesar pulled out of KPL so as not to involve himself in the political tension
Following reports that BCCI have spoken to many cricket boards not to allow their players to take part in the recently-launched Kashmir Premier League in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement slamming the BCCI for their "strange" behaviour. Former South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs alleged that BCCI secretary Jay Shah had sent a message to Cricket South Africa chief Graeme Smith warning him of the consequences, Monty Panesar later pulled out so as not to involve himself in the political tension.
While PCB have already stated their intention to take the issue to the ICC, ESPN Cricinfo reported that the Indian board has written to the ICC to not recognize the Kashmir Premier League (KPL), which was due to start on August 6. BCCI, in their complaint, stated that the status of Kashmir as a disputed territory and the central place in the long-running dispute between the two countries mean the tournament would cause disruption.
It must be noted that to gain control over Kashmir, India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars since the latter became a separate country back in 1947. The geo-political tension has also ensured the two sides, considered archrivals, not playing each other in bilateral series since 2012.
“The PCB considers that the BCCI has brought the game into disrepute by issuing warnings to multiple ICC Members to stop their retired cricketers from featuring in the Kashmir Premier League, further threatening they will not be allowed entry into India for cricket-related work," PCB said in an official statement.
"Such conduct from the BCCI is completely unacceptable, against the preamble of the Spirit of Cricket, and sets a dangerous precedence, which can neither be tolerated nor ignored. The PCB will raise this matter at the appropriate ICC forum and also reserves the right to take any further action that is available to us within the ICC charter,” it added.
While BCCI denotes their stance on the matter to the ICC in its letter, ICC would be short-handed to make any decision. With no provision of not recognizing any tournament from the political front, there is also no clause in ICC regarding matches in disputed territory. It might help PCB win the case and force ICC to recognize the KPL.