Pakistan condemns India’s politicization of cricket

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri has strongly condemned Indian threats to foreign players and coaches who intend to take part in the newly-launched Kashmir Premier League.

“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,” Chaudhry tweeted on Saturday.

His tweet came in response to comments posted by former South African player Herschelle Gibbs.

Gibbs wrote: 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,” he said. 

According to reports, Indian cricket board is pressurizing foreign stars and other officials not to join the Kashmir Premier League.

Kashmir Premier League officials say that they have had information from foreign players and their agents that the BCCI is pressurising them to not play in the KPL.

“If foreign players have to pull out of the KPL due to pressure then we will replace them with Pakistani international players who were not picked in the draft,” it added.