KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday responded to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plea regarding Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organised first edition Kashmir Premier League (KPL).
The ICC issued the statement after reports suggested that BCCI has urged ICC not to recognise the Kashmir Premier League, set to commence in Muzaffarabad from August 6.
An ICC spokesperson told Geo News, “The tournament is not under ICC’s jurisdiction as it is not an international cricket tournament.”
ICC regulation for the sanctioning of an event, clause 2.1.3, states that each national cricket federation shall have the sole and exclusive right to sanction the staging of domestic matches within its territory.
The ICC can interfere only, according to clause 2.1.4, if matches are to be held in the territory of an associate member’s territory.
According to a report by a Cricinfo, the letter sent by BCCI had its basis in the “disputed status” of the region. A number of former cricketers like Herschelle Gibbs, Tillekerate Dilshan are due to take part in the competition.
Former England spinner, Monty Panesar however on Monday pulled out of the tournament. He took to Twitter to reveal the news:
“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.”
The final of the tournament is set to be played on August 16. The PCB has maintained that KPL will serve as a launching pad for budding cricketers on the other side of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has announced his decision to become a “peace ambassador” for the controversial six-team tournament.
“Why such a fuss between [Kashmir Premier League] & BCCI. It’s about building bridges and promoting peace,” he said.
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