Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs has accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of trying to prevent him from participating in the inaugural Kashmir Premier League (KPL) and bringing their “political agenda with Pakistan into the equation”.
The cricketer made the accusation in a tweet, adding that the BCCI has also threatened of denying him entry in India if he participates in the league. Gibbs is a part of KPL franchise Overseas Warriors.
“Completely unnecessary of the BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the KPL,” the cricketer said in a tweet. “[They are] also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket-related work. Ludicrous.”
Quoted in a report by SportsKeeda, Gibbs said that the person issuing the threat was BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. “It came from Mr Shah. (The) message was sent to Graeme smith who passed it on to me,” he said.
Gibbs’ allegation comes a day after former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif’s made similar remarks.
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.”
KPL is scheduled to begin on August 6 and conclude on August 16.
The teams participating in the KPL 2021 are Rawlakot Hawks captained by Shahid Afridi, Muzafarabad Tigers captained by Muhammd Hafeez, Mirpur Royals captained by Shoaib Malik, Kotli Lions Captained by Fakhar Zaman, Bagh Stallions captained by Shadab Khan, and Overseas Warrior captained by Imad Wasim.—(Agencies)
