Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has pulled out of the Kashmir Premier League, the cricketer confirmed in a tweet posted.
Monty's decision to pull out of the tournament comes after the BCCI had reportedly threatened the players participating in the league would not be allowed to enter India and take part in any cricket related work. The outrage came after former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs had pointed out the move from 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 saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous," Gibbs had posted in a tweet.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had expressed their unhappiness over the interference from the BCCI while the BCCI have reportedly written to the ICC and urged them to not recognize KPL. Monty, in a tweet, said he didn't want to be in the middle of the tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues.
"I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over kashmir issues," said Monty in a tweet. "I don't want to be in the middle of this , it would make me feel uncomfortable. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred."
The former England spinner was due to feature for Kotli Lions, which will be captained by Kamran Akmal.
Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board had confirmed that their centrally contracted players will not be participating in the league due to workload issues, as teams prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup which will be played in the United Arab Emirates.
The KPL will have six teams participating and will be played between August 6-16 in Muzaffarabad.
Monty's decision to pull out of the tournament comes after the BCCI had reportedly threatened the players participating in the league would not be allowed to enter India and take part in any cricket related work. The outrage came after former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs had pointed out the move from 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 saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous," Gibbs had posted in a tweet.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had expressed their unhappiness over the interference from the BCCI while the BCCI have reportedly written to the ICC and urged them to not recognize KPL. Monty, in a tweet, said he didn't want to be in the middle of the tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues.
"I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over kashmir issues," said Monty in a tweet. "I don't want to be in the middle of this , it would make me feel uncomfortable. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred."
The former England spinner was due to feature for Kotli Lions, which will be captained by Kamran Akmal.
Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board had confirmed that their centrally contracted players will not be participating in the league due to workload issues, as teams prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup which will be played in the United Arab Emirates.
The KPL will have six teams participating and will be played between August 6-16 in Muzaffarabad.
