Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs says the BCCI is stopping him from playing in the inaugural season of Kashmir Premier League (KPL) on Friday.
In a statement on Twitter, Gibbs said that BCCI is preventing him from playing the tournament due to political differences with Pakistan. The cricketer says BCCI is threatening him that it will ban his entry into India for any cricket-related work. He expressed his disappointment in the intimidating manner of the BCCI.
“Completely unnecessary of the @BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the @kpl_20. Also threatening me by saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket-related work. Ludicrous,” wrote Herschelle Gibbs in his tweet.
Completely unnecessary of the @BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the @kpl_20 . Also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous 🙄
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 31, 2021
Pakistan condemns India’s politicization of cricket on threatening players to join KPL #APPNews @ForeignOfficePk @hershybru @kpl_20 https://t.co/oBrCW8WtiJ
— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) July 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/zeeshan15apr/status/1421385923862966273?s=20
Well done @BCCI
Nation's sovereignty over cricket any day! https://t.co/hBk5nl7tdP— Smit Bhut (@SmitNBhut) July 31, 2021
India's hegemonic designs exposed again. Indian @BCCI coerced Cricketers from England, South Africa, Sri Lanka to prevent them from playing @kpl_20. India also threatened players on their 'safety'. This is worst case of politicisation of #Cricket after #BIG3 hijack of cricket. https://t.co/F5JHzKvTcT
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) July 31, 2021
Modi's fascist regime in India has completely lost it. Politicising Cricket. Blackmailing people. India should give freedom to the innocent people in IOK. In AJK, KPL will happen InshaAllah. People in AJK will enjoy cricket with freedom. #Azadisekhelo https://t.co/bgRU1L6WJw
— Omar Ayub Khan (@OmarAyubKhan) July 31, 2021
Gibbs accused BCCI secretary Jay Shah for threatening him. In an interview with Sports Kerala he said that, “It came from Mr Shah. (The) message was sent to Graeme smith who passed it on to me.”
While his tweet shows another attempt of India at politicizing the game of cricket, it also shows the ultra-aggressive and extremist disposition towards Pakistan and its stance on the Kashmir issue.
Read more: Pakistan summons Indian Charge d’Affaires on ‘false, untenable’ comments
The social media comment of Gibbs triggered a heated debate between the Indian and Pakistani users on Twitter. Indian users lashed out at Gibbs for calling out BCCI. Another user stated that BCCI has every right to object and intervene in the matter as entire Kashmir belongs and if Pakistan is conducting any sports event on Indian soil then BCCI has the right to take action.
A day before, former captain of Pakistan Cricket Team Rashid Latif had raised the issue of India pressurizing foreign cricket boards to not its players to the Kashmir Premier League. Latif, in a tweet, had said that the BCCI was “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.”
Read more: Indian claims against Pakistan not credible: Afghan official snubs Indian reporter
The first edition of the Kashmir Premier League is set to begin from August 6th to August 16th. Designed like Pakistan Super League. The franchises will represent the cities of Azad Jammu Kashmir. The league will feature local and international talent.