The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved the Kashmir Premier League (KPL). This T20 league is to be organized from 6 August at Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium in Ghulam Kashmir. All Pakistani cricketers are going to play in this league and some foreign players are also expected to play, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has an objection to this, because this tournament is being organized in the disputed area.
The BCCI had also approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Kashmir Premier League, but an ICC spokesperson has said that it is not a matter of ICC’s jurisdiction. Talking to GEO News, an ICC spokesperson said, “This tournament is not under the jurisdiction of the ICC, as it is not an international cricket tournament.” Under clause 2.1.3 of the ICC, any national cricket association may conduct domestic cricket in its territory.
The ICC may intervene in accordance with clause 2.1.4 only if matches are to be held in the territory of an associate member’s territory. The BCCI had raised the issue with the ICC regarding this. The PCB believes that they are organizing the league in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, similar to the way India hosted the West Indies and Australia in Srinagar in 1983 and 1986.
This matter came to the fore when former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs had tweeted saying that BCCI is stopping him from playing in the Kashmir Premier League and threatening that if he plays in KPL, then he will be given any chance in India. Will not get admission for cricket in any way. Even now an officer has given a similar statement, which is a warning.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now drawn the boundary line for those hoping to be associated with KPL 2021. The Indian board has told all cricket boards around the world that if their players are seen participating in the KPL, they will be banned from playing in leagues in India or having any commercial relationship with the BCCI.
“Asking the boards not to allow their players to participate in the Kashmir League, we have informed them that if they do, they will not be allowed to take part in any tournament in India. Can’t even be a part of cricketing activity. We have done this keeping in mind the national interest.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, a BCCI official said