PCB not happy with BCCI's interference in KPL, to raise the issue with the relevant ICC forum

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not happy with BCCI interfering in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and asking the overseas players to withdraw their names from the controversial league. Several reports have surfaced on the internet that BCCI has intimidated the cricket boards of serious consequences if their former players go and play in the KPL.

Advertisment

Earlier today, Herschelle Gibbs sent out a tweet slamming BCCI for pressuring him to withdraw his name from the KPL. Gibbs’ accusations came a day after former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif accused BCCI of the same. Now the PCB is planning to take the matter to the ICC.

“It would 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," said a PCB release.

The PCB is of the opinion that BCCI has breached international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game by interfering in the internal affairs of ICC members.

Advertisment

"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 KPL, further threatening they will not be allowed entry into India for cricket-related work.

"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 statement reads.

The BCCI has also responded to the allegations and said the board is well within its right to take decisions with respect to the cricket ecosystem in the country.

"While one can nether confirm or deny the veracity of the statement made by a former player who has figured in a CBI investigation into match-fixing earlier, the PCB must understand that even if Gibbs’ statement is assumed to be true, the BCCI would be well within their rights to take decisions with respect to the cricketing ecosystem in India,” said a BCCI official.