ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has strongly condemned India’s politicization of cricket after Indian officials warned international players not to participate in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL).
The development comes after former South African player Herschelle Gibbs has accused the Indian officials of bringing their political agenda with Pakistan as BCCI has threatened him of denying him entry in the second most populated state 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," he wrote in a tweet adding that “they are also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous.”
Following the tweet of Overseas Warriors member, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri shared a tweet on India’s politicization of cricket.
Chaudhry wrote, “India’s politicization of cricket cannot be condemned enough. Depriving young Kashmiri players of the opportunity to share a dressing room with big names in cricket is unfortunate and regrettable”.
The statement of South African cricketer comes a day after former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif slammed Indian authorities for warning boards. In a recent tweet, Rashid said 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."