The recently shaped Kashmir Premier League (KPL) has dealt a severe blow with the withdrawal of England’s experienced spinner Monty Panesar.
Panesar opted to withdraw from the KPL 2021 after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) warned him about the implications. According to reports, the BCCI is unhappy with Pakistan’s administration of the Kashmir league and has urged all international players not to participate.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed that the BCCI was meddling with an ICC member’s internal affairs. However, the BCCI retaliated, claiming that they are entirely within their authority to make choices about the nation’s cricketing ecology. Panesar, who was supposed to play for the Kotli Lions, announced his decision to withdraw from KPL on Sunday, 1st August on Twitter.
Panesar stated on Twitter that he would not compete in the KPL due to political concerns between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir. “I have decided not to participate in the KPL because of the political tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issues. I don’t want to be in the middle of this, it would make me feel uncomfortable,” said Monty Panesar on Twitter.
Monty Panesar went on to say that the English Cricket Board (ECB) and the BCCI had informed him of the implications of playing in the KPL, which included the revocation of his visa to India and the rejection of cricket-related activities.
India is one of the places I want to work, says Monty Panesar after withdrawing from KPL
Monty Panesar went on to say that the English Cricket Board (ECB) and the BCCI had informed him of the implications of playing in the KPL, which included the revocation of his visa to India and the rejection of cricket-related activities.
Panesar hopes that the BCCI will comprehend his withdrawal from the KPL 2021 and that, after declining the invitation to play again, he would be able to find a great career in India. He did concede, though, that whether or not a player participates in the KPL is an individual decision.
