Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for threatening him to not take part in the Kashmir Premier League (KPL).
In an interview with Sportskeeda, the 47-year-old revealed that he was told by former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith that he would not be allowed to play for the Indian Premier League or go to India for any cricket-related work if he takes part in KPL.
“It came from Mr Shah. (The) message was sent to Graeme smith who passed it on to me,” Gibbs told the outlet.
He also turned to Twitter and alleged that the BCCI is keeping him from playing for KPL owing to India’s political differences with Pakistan.
“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 (by) saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous,” he wrote.
According to a report by Daily Jang, citing sources, BCCI has threatened foreign players that their participation in KPL would result in doors to Indian cricket and Indian Premier League closing on them for good.
Six foreign players have been selected to play in the inaugural edition of the league, including former Proteas player Herschelle Gibbs, former skipper of Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and four former England cricketers, Owais Shah, Matt Prior, Phil Mustard and Monty Panesar.
Former Pakistani batsman, Rashid Latif also spoke out against BCCI on Twitter, saying: “The @BCCI is warning cricket boards that if there 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. Gibbs, Dilshan, Monty Panesar & several others have been selected in KPL,” he tweeted.
KPL is scheduled to start from August 6-16 in Muzaffarabad.
Originally Published on GEO SUPER
