Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to not mix cricket and politics amid the ongoing controversy with the Kashmir Premier League. The inaugural edition of the tournament is all slated to kick off on August 6 and will take place in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The tension surrounding the first season of the Kashmir Premier League has no signs to die with only a couple of days left. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) casting some serious allegations against the BCCI.

After former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs took to Twitter to reveal how the BCCI was “preventing him” from participating in the league, the PCB issued a statement alleging the BCCI for breaching international norms and the spirit of the gentleman’s game. And now Shahid Afridi has targetted the BCCI stating the governing body is mixing cricket and politics.

“Really disappointing that BCCI is once again mixing cricket and politics! KPL is a league for Kashmir, Pakistan and cricket fans around the world. We will put up a wonderful show and won’t be deterred with such behavior!!”, read Afridi’s response to Gibbs’ tweet from July 31.

Really disappointing that BCCI is once again mixing cricket and politics! KPL is a league for Kashmir, Pakistan and cricket fans around the world. We will put up a wonderful show and won't be deterred with such behaviour!! https://t.co/J9XcbEeUF6

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 31, 2021

Monty Panesar pulls out of the Kashmir Premier League

Amid the ongoing controversy over the T20 competition, former England spinner Monty Panesar has pulled out his name from the competition. Panesar decided to call it quits from KPL 2021 after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ‘advised’ him about the consequences.

The former cricketer stated that he didn’t wish to get involved in the political tension between India and Pakistan.

“The reason I decided to not participate in this league was that I was clearly advised by the ECB and BCCI that if I do play, the consequences could be that I may be denied a visa in the future and maybe denied any cricket opportunity in India. I have just started my media-sports career and India is one of the places I want to work. The negative outweighs the pros. I would have lost a huge opportunity in India,” Panesar said as quoted by Republic World.