ICC is practising aparthied : Kapil

New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) Former Indian captain and chairman of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) Kapil Dev once again trained his guns, this time not at the BCCI but the International Cricket Council (ICC), by calling the cricket's world body a ''rebel''.

''Don't label us as the rebels. It is the ICC which is dividing the world cricket. The board is dictating that you can play with us only but not with anybody else '' Kapil told a private news channel today.

India's only World Cup-winning captain Kapil has accused the Indian board and the ICC of following ''apartheid'' on the lines of what was once practised and abhorred in South Africa.

''I will compare the prevailing situation to the aprathied era in South Africa. The South Africans did that when the Whites couldn't play with the non-Whites and vice-versa.

''Only this time, it is the ICC which is not allowing to a selected few to play the international cricket just beccause they happen to be a part of the ICL,'' he said.

''As in democracy, we are happy to play the role of an opposition, if it is for the benefit of the gane,'' Kapil added.

Meanwhile, the statement comes at a point when the ICC officials are seriously contemplating to organise a meeting with ICL representatives.

However, praising the Sri Lankan board the 'Haryana Hurricane' has welcomed their decision to lift the ban imposed on cricketers who had signed up to play in the ICL.

''I am thankful to the Sri Lankan board and to Arjun Ranatunga in particular who has shown a great character. The Bangladesh Cricket Board should also reconsider banning its players who are part of the ICL's Dahka Warriors team,'' Kapil opined.

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