ISLAMABAD, July 31 (APP): Pakistan on Saturday strongly condemned India’s politicization of cricket by preventing international players to participate in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL).
Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said “India’s politicization of cricket cannot be condemned enough”.
He termed as “unfortunate and regrettable” the reports where Kashmiri players were denied to share the dressing room with renowned cricket players.
“Depriving young Kashmiri players of the opportunity to share dressing room with big names in cricket is unfortunate and regrettable,” he wrote in a tweet.
India’s politicisation of Cricket cannot be condemned enough. Depriving young Kashmiri players of the opportunity to share dressing room with big names in 🏏 is unfortunate and regrettable.@hershybru @kpl_20 https://t.co/uOgRuMXqln
— Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (@Zhchaudhri) July 31, 2021
The reaction came as former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of “trying to prevent” him from participating in KPL and bringing their “political agenda with Pakistan into the equation”.
“Completely unnecessary of the BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the KPL,” he said. “[They are] also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous.”
Gibbs, who is a part of KPL franchise Overseas Warriors, in a tweet said the BCCI had also threatened of denying him entry in India if he participates in the league.
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
