The KPL is already a massive success

[King_Kohli]

BCCI should support Kashmir Premier League and not create hurdles: Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal feels KPL needs to be supported and backed by India and political tensions should be kept aside.

The Kashmir Premier League (KPL) has garnered eyeballs right since its announcement. While some have supported the new league, the others have been pulled out even before the first ball was bowled due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. Kamran Akmal, though, feels KPL needs to be supported and backed by India.

Akmal feels the sport should always be encouraged and, KPL needs the backing for its success in the first year. While Monty Panesar backed out of the tournament citing personal reasons, Herschelle Gibbs claimed that he was threatened by the BCCI for taking part in the league. For the same, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) soon released a statement, to which the BCCI was quick to respond about what they did was right and within the laws of the country.

Speaking about the same on his YouTube channel, Akmal opened up the KPL and shared the video for the same, “It was not easy to organize KPL at such a scale in Muzaffarabad. There were a lot of difficulties and hurdles faced. You would have read how players were stopped from coming here. According to me, when it comes to sports, one country should support the other and not create hurdles. That is not good at all. Sports is something that unites.”

Monty Panesar clarifies his stance for not participating in KPL
Monty Panesar clarified in his tweet that it was not BCCI who threatened him, but rather the decision of the England Cricket Board (ECB) and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) for him not to take part in the inaugural edition of KPL. Also, the former left-arm spinner mentioned in his tweet how the political tensions between Pakistan and India are making him uncomfortable playing KPL.

“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.”

One of the players Tillakaratne Dilshan has confirmed his participation for the entire duration of the tournament. The news was confirmed by the owner of Muzaffarabad Tigers.

https://www.crictracker.com/bcci-should-support-kashmir-premier-league-and-not-create-hurdles-kamran-akmal/

 

[Real_Steel]

We need to understand that sustainability, viewership, quality of cricket, development of cricket and players in the Kashmir region etc. are not part of the KPL agenda.

This league is simply an extension of the Kashmir politics. They were itching for a controversy and for India to object so that this nothing league gains prominence, and BCCI did play into their hands.

KPL got exactly what it wanted, which is it has been a success. The fact that the official KPL Twitter handle was retweeting political stuff exposes their agenda.

They had an agenda and it has been served. Everything else is secondary.

very true. Non cricketing agenda. Non cricketing success...and then Pak fans call others political

 

[Bewal Express]

The standard of fielding is absolutely shocking. I would go as far as to say its a disgrace. I see better fielding in club cricket in the UK.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Herschelle Gibbs "the scenery here is absolutely fantastic. It's very similar to Switzerland. It's absolutely stunning" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPL2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KPL2021</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1425065462338101248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

The standard of fielding is absolutely shocking. I would go as far as to say its a disgrace. I see better fielding in club cricket in the UK.

This looked decent

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/8hey90" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Saj]

Seventh team to be included in second edition of Kashmir Premier League: Chairman Arif Malik.

The seventh team of Kashmir Premier League will be named Jammu Janbaz.

 

[bala977]

Seventh team to be included in second edition of Kashmir Premier League: Chairman Arif Malik.

The seventh team of Kashmir Premier League will be named Jammu Janbaz.

If this is true, it is clear evidence the main motivation for this league is politics that sport. They seem to be going out of the way to stir things up. Funny how these type of things always end up blowing up in your face ….

 

[Saj]

If this is true, it is clear evidence the main motivation for this league is politics that sport. They seem to be going out of the way to stir things up. Funny how these type of things always end up blowing up in your face ….

If this is true?

What's that supposed to mean, when the Chairman has just announced it.

 

[Rajdeep]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Herschelle Gibbs "the scenery here is absolutely fantastic. It's very similar to Switzerland. It's absolutely stunning" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KPL2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KPL2021</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1425065462338101248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

How many runs did Gibbs score in this tournament? I have not heard much about him after his initial tweets.

 

[MenInG]

How many runs did Gibbs score in this tournament? I have not heard much about him after his initial tweets.

So can I ask, what is your point?

Maybe instead of making snide remarks, show some grace and congratulate this small league for its success.

 

[offstump]

If this is true, it is clear evidence the main motivation for this league is politics that sport. They seem to be going out of the way to stir things up. Funny how these type of things always end up blowing up in your face ….

If this stirs things up on the Indian side then it only goes to further show how triggered the Indians are by this tier 3 league. The BCCI, GOI and many other indians are upset because of a third tier local cricket league. When you think about it, it’s the indians who are politicizing this by making it into something it isn’t.

 

[Bewal Express]

I really like the look of Zaman Khan, that is a real talent. Height could be an issue but as someone said he bowls like Fidel Edwards and tbh even after a few games he is already at the level of Haris Rauf etc. Whether he will be successful in the long term after Batsman get used to his action will be the biggest question going forward

 

[shamaan]

Zaman Khan has the talent but he needs to be groomed properly hopefully he can play the qaid e azam trophy

 

[MenInG]

KPL President Arif Malik and CEO Chaudhry Shahzad Akhtar :

“Shahid Afridi has made a huge contribution to the game of cricket, not only in Pakistan but also around the globe. He is a trendsetter. To honour his services to the game of cricket, we are planning to organise an exhibition match in England"

“All the superstars of KPL will be in action in that game. [Two to three] Kashmiri origin players will also play that match and It will be a huge moment for them too to feature along with some great players"

“The reason is that the largest diaspora of Kashmiri origin lives in the UK which is nearly one million now. So, this will provide an opportunity to them to see the players in action in KPL and also meet them"

“Players like Zaman Khan and Kashif Ali are two such players who have even proven themselves in the PSL — which is now the biggest cricket brand of Pakistan were the product of Kashmir Premier League”.

“KPL will open the window of opportunity for more players to play and star in international leagues and county cricket around the world. We will also facilitate players from Kashmir to play and learn in England from KPL’s platform"

“The reaction which came from BCCI was totally unnecessary. We were only thinking about cricket and there was no politics involved. Broadcast service providers were pressurised not to travel to Kashmir telling them that it was not a safe place and they can face security issues”.

“Even the production crew members coming from other countries and the companies who provide production technical services were also stopped"

"When he made statements in media, only then everyone realised the amount of pressure those players were facing"

 

[silentkiller187]

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has been appointed as the Director of Cricket Operations by the Kashmir Premier League, here on Monday.

The President of KPL, Arif Malik, has announced that a former coach and the captain of Pakistan Cricket Team Rashid will now take the charge as the new Director of Cricket Operations at the KPL headquarters here.

In an official statement released by the KPL, Arif said, “After the prodigious success of KPL season 1, I have no doubt that Rashid Latif is the right man to shoulder the responsibility of taking KPL to the new heights of modern world Cricket.”

Rashid, on the other hand, also commented on his appointment as the Director of Cricket Operations of KPL, saying he is excited about the opportunity offered by the KPL, while also keen to bring the Kashmiri talent to the limelight.

“I am excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to really get started. I am passionate about cricket and really looking forward to helping the cricket in Kashmir grow even better and bigger,” Rashid was quoted saying.

“We have a lot of talented young players in the Kashmir and I aim to bring [a] maximum number of young talent to be inducted in the league as their first introduction to global cricket opportunities and platform,” Rashid added.

“I know there are many hurdles but I am ready to take the challenge and focused to make KPL amongst the best leagues in the world,” he concluded.

https://a-sports.tv/kpl-appoints-rashid-latif-director-of-cricket-operations/

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has joined Kotli Lions for the upcoming second edition of the Kashmir Premier League (KPL), here on Tuesday.

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy and 2019 Pakistan Super League (PSL) winning captain Sarfaraz will lead Kotli Lions in the second edition of KPL, scheduled in August this year.

Taking to Twitter, KPL shared the video statement of Sarfaraz on being picked as the captain and icon player by the Lions.

“I will be representing Kotli Lions in this year’s KPL. I would like to thank Khalid Zia and Faisal for selecting me as their icon player,” he said.

“We will try to make a strong team for this year and win the tournament,” he added.

A-Sports

 

[gazza619]

Good signing. When Rashid Latif speaks, you are automatically drawn to what he has to say. A man of wise words. Let's see .

 

[silentkiller187]

President Kashmir Premier League (KPL) Arif Malik has said that the detention and punishment of Yasin Malik, leader of Occupied Kashmir, is illegal. The nefarious intentions to get Kashmir will never succeed. They will never be able to suppress the Kashmiris' right to self-determination with their clever tactics. Kashmir is a reality that can never be denied.

President KPL Arif Malik further stated, “Yasin Malik has made a great struggle for Kashmiris along with Hurriyat leaders have made great sacrifices for the liberation of Kashmiris. We are against Indian
aggression and domination in occupied Kashmir. The People of occupied Kashmir also have the right to live freely.

During the visit to Muzaffarabad Stadium, Arif Malik scrutinized the facilities, while talking to the media he said “The preparations for KPL season 2 have now entered the final stages. The second season of KPL
will be bigger than the first season, We have to spread the message to the whole world that Azad Kashmir is truly independent.”

He further added, “Director Cricket Operations KPL Rashid Latif pointed out some steps while his visit, which has been implemented. The growing popularity of the Kashmir Premier League will make it one of the top
three leagues in the world. Also, like the first season of KPL, the second season will be played under the slogan "Khelo Azadi Se” he concluded.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

For the sake of league's success and to allow it to help regional development hope they stop involving geo-politics in this, however it seems the league was started with that very intention.

They can still avoid it and make it a cricketing success so that it aids that region economically and helps cricketers from there leapfrog to national recognition.

Doubt that will happen though.

 

[Hextro]

For the sake of league's success and to allow it to help regional development hope they stop involving geo-politics in this, however it seems the league was started with that very intention.

They can still avoid it and make it a cricketing success so that it aids that region economically and helps cricketers from there leapfrog to national recognition.

Doubt that will happen though.

How would talking about politics make this league fail? If anything talking about politics will only make this league more popular among the locals. The narrative this league is going with has always been popular in Kashmir.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

How would talking about politics make this league fail? If anything talking about politics will only make this league more popular among the locals. The narrative this league is going with has always been popular in Kashmir.

Well the messaging is the reason BCCI has banned any player from participating in IPL if they're associated with this league. That will most certainly make anyone who wants an IPL career steer clear from this league. Isn't this leagues intention to have foreigners?

Now I am not saying BCCI might revoke their stance but they just might, you never know. If the league grows it can be a great feeder for PSL like TNPL, KPL etc. have been for IPL in India and can help regional development too. Hate can only get you so far.

 

[Hextro]

Well the messaging is the reason BCCI has banned any player from participating in IPL if they're associated with this league. That will most certainly make anyone who wants an IPL career steer clear from this league. Isn't this leagues intention to have foreigners?

Now I am not saying BCCI might revoke their stance but they just might, you never know.[/B] If the league grows it can be a great feeder for PSL like TNPL, KPL etc. have been for IPL in India and can help regional development too. Hate can only get you so far.

It's not a matter of 'if' BCCI bans certain players, they have banned people that have participated in the KPL and they will continue to do so, BCCI will instantly ban anyone that participates in the KPL even if the KPL didn't involve itself in politics. The KPL's existence goes against the BCCIs(and India's) backward approach towards Kashmir of "we own everything about Kashmir, including things we have no control over like Pakistan administered Kashmir, and the local Kashmiris".

This league is made for Kashmiris, not Indians, if that means we have to cope with not having a handful of overseas players then so be it. Accepting India's ridiculous demands isn't an option. It would be best if the BCCI minded their own business but that clearly isn't going to happen.

Lastly, you still haven't answered my question so I'll ask it again. How would talking about politics make this league fail? Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the target audience for this league isn't Indians.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Lastly, you still haven't answered my question so I'll ask it again. How would talking about politics make this league fail? Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the target audience for this league isn't Indians.

I didn't say the league would fail, I said for the sake of it's success. It may do well now, but with involvement of higher profile players it would do even better.

Where we differ is the politics of it all. India and Pakistan have border issues, you don't see BCCI banning players participating in PSL. This league, it's organisers openly challenge India's stance. Leaving BCCI no choice but to react.

All I am saying is there is a chance had they not made it political, maybe it would've allowed BCCI to not bother with a response.

By not making a political stance out of it, it doesn't mean you concede. Pak-administered Kashmir is still with you. It will just allow the league to do better if bigger players are involved. I don't think I need to explain to you the math involved in what having better players would mean for the league and it's valuation/sponsorship etc?

However if the ultimate goal of this league is to show India a proverbial middle finger and claim your side of Kashmir is indeed yours. Go for it!

 

[Hextro]

I didn't say the league would fail, I said for the sake of it's success. It may do well now, but with involvement of higher profile players it would do even better.

Where we differ is the politics of it all. India and Pakistan have border issues, you don't see BCCI banning players participating in PSL. This league, it's organisers openly challenge India's stance. Leaving BCCI no choice but to react.

All I am saying is there is a chance had they not made it political, maybe it would've allowed BCCI to not bother with a response.

By not making a political stance out of it, it doesn't mean you concede. Pak-administered Kashmir is still with you. It will just allow the league to do better if bigger players are involved. I don't think I need to explain to you the math involved in what having better players would mean for the league and it's valuation/sponsorship etc?

However if the ultimate goal of this league is to show India a proverbial middle finger and claim your side of Kashmir is indeed yours. Go for it!

This league isn't made to attract the likes of QDK, Ab De Villiers, Buttler, Starc, etc, that's the PSLs job. The purpose of the KPL is to involve more Kashmiris in cricket, the purpose of this league is not to make it a competitor to the PSL.

If the PSL names a team after Kashmir the BCCI will instantly ban any cricketer who participates in the PSL. BCCI's problem with the KPL is the KPL's existence itself. The KPL being involved in politics is irrelevant to this situation as I said in my previous comment.

Finally, the goal of this league is not "to show India a proverbial middle finger and claim your side of Kashmir". No one in Pakistan thinks about India that way, as I said before the purpose of this league is to involve more Kashmiris in cricket.

The reason Indians think the ultimate goal of this league is "to show India a proverbial middle finger and claim your side of Kashmir" is because you guys think about India all the time, and India is the center of your world but you have to remember that no one in Pakistan thinks about stuff from the point of view of "how will this affect India". Try not to assert your way of thinking onto others.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

This league isn't made to attract the likes of QDK, Ab De Villiers, Buttler, Starc, etc, that's the PSLs job. The purpose of the KPL is to involve more Kashmiris in cricket, the purpose of this league is not to make it a competitor to the PSL.

“I know there are many hurdles but I am ready to take the challenge and focused to make KPL amongst the best leagues in the world,” he concluded.

That is the statement of Director of Cricket Operations of Kashmir Premier League, so pick your fight with him not me on why he wants to make this a global success. So my response was to that. You may not want it but organisers do, so your fight is with them.

Also you are responding to me with preconceived notions. I am commenting on this subject keeping ground realities of the world in mind and not from a pov of Indian. World doesn't revolve around India, but whether we like it or not, BCCI being a big player in world cricket control a lot of factors that can hurt this league or PSL even (if they choose to politicise that). That is simply the ground reality.

So when the league organisers make political statement like quoted above

President Kashmir Premier League (KPL) Arif Malik has said that the detention and punishment of Yasin Malik, leader of Occupied Kashmir, is illegal. The nefarious intentions to get Kashmir will never succeed. They will never be able to suppress the Kashmiris' right to self-determination with their clever tactics. Kashmir is a reality that can never be denied.

will only ensure BCCI is forced to react and make sure their stance is for the 'people of India to see' else they will be seen as weak, and given current ruling party's heavy involvement in BCCI, they can't be seen not responding to such statements.

What damage BCCI can do? It can ensure no quality sports broadcasting/production company support this event, threaten coverage of this event by some of the prominent cricketing portals like Cricinfo, Cricbuzz (India based again) IIRC it happened with PSL coverage in the past. And the biggest hit, simply ban any player who plays KPL which they have already.

So if you want to make a political stand, make it. But that will come at the cost of success this league can otherwise achieve.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This thread shows how easy it is to offend BCCI and some IPL fans here. Nobody would have known about this league. Credit goes to BCCI for making this popular.

 

[Hextro]

That is the statement of Director of Cricket Operations of Kashmir Premier League, so pick your fight with him not me on why he wants to make this a global success. So my response was to that. You may not want it but organisers do, so your fight is with them.

Also you are responding to me with preconceived notions. I am commenting on this subject keeping ground realities of the world in mind and not from a pov of Indian. World doesn't revolve around India, but whether we like it or not, BCCI being a big player in world cricket control a lot of factors that can hurt this league or PSL even (if they choose to politicise that). That is simply the ground reality.

So when the league organisers make political statement like quoted above


will only ensure BCCI is forced to react and make sure their stance is for the 'people of India to see' else they will be seen as weak, and given current ruling party's heavy involvement in BCCI, they can't be seen not responding to such statements.

What damage BCCI can do? It can ensure no quality sports broadcasting/production company support this event, threaten coverage of this event by some of the prominent cricketing portals like Cricinfo, Cricbuzz (India based again) IIRC it happened with PSL coverage in the past. And the biggest hit, simply ban any player who plays KPL which they have already.

So if you want to make a political stand, make it. But that will come at the cost of success this league can otherwise achieve.

The Director of Cricket Operations of Kashmir Premier League will continue to make ridiculous statements like the one you quoted above because he's a businessman that wants to make as much money as possible. If the PCB wanted this league to be PSL 2.0 they wouldn't have stopped Pakistan's best players from playing it. This league wasn't made for commercial reasons. That's quite obvious. The only reason the owners of this league are making a big deal out of it is because of the attention India brought to it by outraging. This is and will be a domestic league to funnel talent to the PSL and Pakistan's domestic teams, nothing more.

It's funny that you mentioned the BCCI "can ensure no quality sports broadcasting/production company support this event, threaten the coverage of this event by some of the prominent cricketing portals like Cricinfo, Cricbuzz (India based again) IIRC it happened with PSL coverage in the past. And the biggest hit, simply ban any player who plays KPL which they have already." because they've already done everything you mentioned.

They've ensured that sports broadcasting/production companies that are related to India cannot support this event, they've already threatened coverage cricket coverage companies such as Cricinfo and Cricbuzz(Cricinfo and Cricbuzz didn't broadcast the KPL last year), and they've already banned any foreign player that has participated in the KPL. They would've done everything I've written above even if the KPL didn't involve itself in politics and guess what? The KPL is going strong despite all that, why would they start listening to what India has to say now? The BCCI has tried and failed to stop this league, what are they gonna do now? send their military? Perhaps they might make a Bollywood movie about how this league is an anti-national conspiracy.

BCCI made the KPL more political than it already was by constantly complaining about it and constantly trying to sabotage it. The KPL got hundreds of thousands of live viewers on social media because of the attention India brought to the tournament. The KPL was a normal T20 league in Pakistan like the Ramazan Cup that happens every year but India made it bigger than it ever could've been. In a way, we should be thanking you guys.

The more the BCCI tries to cancel this league the more popular this league gets. That's quite ironic.

 

[Hextro]

This thread shows how easy it is to offend BCCI and some IPL fans here. Nobody would have known about this league. Credit goes to BCCI for making this popular.

That's the essence of my argument. It is the BCCI that marketed this league, not the PCB.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

That is the statement of Director of Cricket Operations of Kashmir Premier League, so pick your fight with him not me on why he wants to make this a global success. So my response was to that. You may not want it but organisers do, so your fight is with them.

Also you are responding to me with preconceived notions. I am commenting on this subject keeping ground realities of the world in mind and not from a pov of Indian. World doesn't revolve around India, but whether we like it or not, BCCI being a big player in world cricket control a lot of factors that can hurt this league or PSL even (if they choose to politicise that). That is simply the ground reality.

So when the league organisers make political statement like quoted above


will only ensure BCCI is forced to react and make sure their stance is for the 'people of India to see' else they will be seen as weak, and given current ruling party's heavy involvement in BCCI, they can't be seen not responding to such statements.

What damage BCCI can do? It can ensure no quality sports broadcasting/production company support this event, threaten coverage of this event by some of the prominent cricketing portals like Cricinfo, Cricbuzz (India based again) IIRC it happened with PSL coverage in the past. And the biggest hit, simply ban any player who plays KPL which they have already.

So if you want to make a political stand, make it. But that will come at the cost of success this league can otherwise achieve.

You are taking Kashmir Super League too seriously here. It is equivalent of Nalasopara Premier League but BCCI and some fans like you have made it the second coming of ICL. Such a big board with huge broadcast rights and money is feeling insecure without any reason.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

That's the essence of my argument. It is the BCCI that marketed this league, not the PCB.

If BCCI wanted, they would have easily ignored this league but they were in a mood to politicise this issue.

 

[MenInG]

Shoaib Akhtar speaking on a KPL video

"KPL is for a great cause and we all should support it"

"Being a peace ambassador, I would suggest India organize a KPL in their region too. Jammu Kashmir should also host such a league to send a message of peace"

 

[James]