Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Premier League has suffered another blow as England’s veteran spinner Monty Panesar has pulled out his name from the upcoming tournament. Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Premier League is scheduled to kickstart from August 6th with namely six teams including the likes of Rawalakot Hawks, Kotli Lions, Mirpur Royals, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Overseas Warriors, and Bagh Stallions competing with each other for the title in Muzaffarabad.
Monty Panesar decided to pull out his name from the tournament from the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Premier League 2021 after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ‘advised’ him about the consequences of participating in the controversial tournament.
Well, BCCI isn’t happy with the Pakistan cricket board conducting a league in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and has warned all the overseas players against participating in the tournament.
Talking about his stance, in an interview with Republic World, Monty revealed that there were chances of him not getting an Indian visa in the future, which can hamper his career to a greater extent. Also, the spinner didn’t want to get involved in the political tension between both countries. He said:
“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,”
Monty also took to his Twitter to announce his decision. He wrote: “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.”
Here, check out the Tweet:
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. #KPL2021 #Kashmir #india #Cricket #Pakistan #ENGvIND #TheHundred
— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) August 1, 2021
Following Monty’s decision of not participating in the POKPL, Indian fans started trolling Pakistan left, right, and center.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Monty Panesar withdraws from KPL.#BCCI – pic.twitter.com/kDYrU3GL6t
— g0v!ñD $#@®mA (@rishu_1809) August 2, 2021
Good. That’s what we expect from all the responsible players of the world cricket. You dare not support anything against India or we will push you to the bankruptcy.
Better not to indulge in any activity of terrorist state Pak. If India boycotts you, you will go penniless. Haha.
— Anupam K Singh (@anupamnawada) August 2, 2021
This sums up all the discussions and yes no one can touch India??????
— Tanmay Patel (@Tanmay_1845) August 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/sp16434/status/1422083298549911552?s=20
Singh is king we always proud of them https://t.co/0ghekBZzLM
— Ashwani Kumar (@Ashwani96715194) August 2, 2021
Brilliant decision, more and more cricketers should refuse to play in this sham of a league on an illegally occupied territory.@ICC should take action against PCB on grounds of Govt interference.
KPL is a product of a parliamentary committee and PoK Govt, not PCB https://t.co/6vpy9Eg6d2
— Aavish Kant (@Aavish_K) August 2, 2021
Wise decision monty, being a indian by birth or your by roots at least this much u need for your previous generation. U can make every punjabi / indian proud by this decision. https://t.co/6O42vqeaza
— Girishkumar (@Girishk11376497) August 2, 2021
Thank you..
Kashmir is integral part of India.
Pakistani army and ISI are sending terrorists to destabilize the peace process.
POK & gilgit baltistan is part of India which is occupied by Pak.
Baluchistan is soon become an independent country.
India is working to free Baluchistan https://t.co/Wxk19FMihg— Subrat Pradhan (@subrat4141) August 2, 2021
Great decision. ?? https://t.co/h3d2vNtNNK
— Suraj Saha (@SahaSs23) August 2, 2021
