ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Premier League (KPL) chief Arif Malik on Monday thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying that its antics had helped the league instead of harming it.
“Thanks to the BCCI,” said Malik, speaking on Dawn News show Replay. He said: “This board is a mafia and is considered a terror in the world. Not only are they stopping the cricketers [from playing in the tournament], they are preventing our production crew from arriving [to cover the event].”
The KPL chief said that he was previously concerned about the league’s marketing before the entire row with the BCCI began, adding that now there was immense social media popularity for the KPL.
Replying to a question, Malik said he was receiving calls from around the world from cricket boards, who were now interested to know what the KPL is about.
“Hue and cry” made by the BCCI has ensured the success of the KPL even before it has begun, he said, adding that his team had put in hard work and dedication into the league.
He confirmed that former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs and Sri Lanka’s Dilshan, despite being warned by the BCCI to snub the KPL, have also agreed to take part in the league, adding that the former “will be here soon”, without revealing the date due to security reasons.
Malik said that for an event such as the KPL, “even our lives should be readily available”, adding that sentiments, instead of workload management, should be kept in mind.
Sports journalist Aalia Rasheed also agreed with the KPL chief, saying that in its attempt to thwart the cricket league, the BCCI had unwittingly helped promote it and generate buzz about the KPL around the globe.
