New Delhi: The inaugural edition of the Kashmir Premier League concluded Tuesday with Rawalakot Tigers, led by Shahid Afridi, defeating Muzaffarabad Tigers in the final played at the Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium. But what gathered more ‘eyeballs’ on social media was the popularity of the tournament despite opposition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The Indian cricket governing body’s opposition seems to have fuelled fans across the border to make KPL a must watch—probably the last thing the BCCI wanted.
The talk among cricket fans online was less about the on-field play or supporting either of the teams, and more about the success of the tournament as a whole.
Several fans of the 20-20 league, such as Farooq Siddiqui and Shaziyaa Mahmood took to Twitter and posted screenshots of the online live stream numbers for the match. They were showcasing high viewership figures to establish the tournament’s popularity. While Siddiqui’s post displayed nearly 316,000 live streams, Mahmood showed a number of 242,000.
Look at the viewership..???
This is Kashmir Premier League Final…#KPL2021 #KplFinal #KPL pic.twitter.com/uwcg6ZGETl
— Farooq Siddiqui ?? (@farooqsdq) August 17, 2021
242K views that’s it that’s the Tweet ♥️ #KPLfinal pic.twitter.com/d7wEQO52Y4
— Shazziya Mehmood (@shaziyaaM) August 17, 2021
Show this to the World that how much We love Cricket ? ? #KPLfinal pic.twitter.com/rwNaPAtgew
— Mian Omer?? (@Iam_Mian) August 17, 2021
There were also those who chose the final’s viewership numbers as a moment to stick it to India, due to the BCCI’s opposing views on KPL and its request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not recognise it.
“Thanks India for promoting #KPL2021, #KPLfinal Congratulations India on your successful campaign for #KPL21,” tweeted Hammad.
Thanks India for promoting #KPL2021 , #KPLfinal Congratulations India on your successful campaign for #KPL21 pic.twitter.com/VMTv4StGT2
— h-m-m-a-d (@iamhmmad1) August 17, 2021
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir prime minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi and chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Afridi, were also in attendance for the final.
“KPL was a dream. Alhamdulillah enjoying its final along PM AJK. Loving every moment,” Afridi tweeted, using the hashtag #KheloAazadiSe, the official social media tagline of the tournament.
KPL was a dream. Alhamdulillah enjoying its final along PM AJK. Loving every moment. #KheloAazadiSe #KPLfinal #UNSC #UnitedNations pic.twitter.com/GzN0OBbjOM
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) August 17, 2021
Niazi and Afridi also spoke during the post-match presentation, The News reported. While Niazi “declared Kashmir the land of peace and prosperity”, Afridi “dedicated the success of the KPL to all Kashmiris”.
The little cricket chat that did take place about the final mostly revolved around congratulatory messages to Pakistani cricketing veteran Shahid Afridi for leading his team to victory.
Writer Saj Sadiq credited Afridi for his “brilliant captaincy” and bowling figures of 2-32 from 4 overs, whilst the Pakistani veteran was “struggling to walk”. Sadiq later posted a picture of Afridi’s celebration and said the 42-year-old was “flying high”.
Shahid Afridi with back problems and whilst struggling to walk has just led Rawalakot Hawks to the KPL title with 2 for 32 including 8 dot balls and some brilliant captaincy in the final #KPL2021 #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 17, 2021
The kit says Fly High and Shahid Afridi is still flying high #Cricket #KPL2021 pic.twitter.com/CzX5AcSWWF
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) August 17, 2021
Foreign cricket bloggers Dennis Freedman and Daniel Alexander also weighed in, celebrating Afridi’s win for Rawalakot, with Alexander also commenting on the “picturesque stadium”.
AFRIDI JUST WON KASHMIR
— Dennis (@DennisCricket_) August 17, 2021
Congratulations to Rawalakot Hawks on winning the inaugural Kashmir Premier League. Thrilling final to finish the fantastic KPL. Afridi was a match winner in 1996, Afridi a match winner in 2021. Absolute Champion.?? @SAfridiOfficial @kpl_20 @HawksKPL #Cricket #KPL
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) August 17, 2021
Inaugural Kashmir Premier League has been a huge success. Fantastic tournament, Picturesque stadium and most importantly cricket won again in Pakistan.?? @kpl_20 #Cricket
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) August 17, 2021
Shahid Afridi dedicated the trophy to the people of Kashmir during post-match presentation, and later thanked the Pakistan Army on Twitter.
Only Shahid Afridi could have done this … ??? pic.twitter.com/0Ry1JJ251P
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) August 17, 2021
So proud of my players and staff, one of the most memorable wins for me! The KPL was a wonderfully organised event and it has great potential, I'm sure next year will be bigger and better. Special thank you to Pakistan Army for their wonderful support throughout. ?? pic.twitter.com/QWltixOVDc
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 17, 2021
Unlike the events of two weeks ago, the BCCI has not issued an official statement on the conclusion of KPL. However, former South Africa batsman and current coach Herschelle Gibbs, who had previously hit out at the BCCI for attempting to “threaten” him over his participation in the league, ended up travelling to Muzaffarabad as a member of the Overseas Warriors.
While he didn’t play a game as the Warriors finished fourth and lost to Mirpur Royals in the playoffs, Gibbs posted in praise of his experience in PoK on Twitter and Instagram.
That was fun @kpl_20 @WarriorsKPL … what a location for it! Wonderful start to the league. ✅
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) August 16, 2021