Marvan Atapattu’s association with Espn-Star Sports as a commentator for the Asia Cup in Pakistan beginning on Tuesday has not gone down well with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) because of the Sri Lankan’s involvement with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

“We will not sit idle. We will bring the issue to the notice of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC),” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told The Indian Express today. Since ESPN Star is not directly associated with the cricket board, the BCCI is finding it tough to flex its muscles directly. “We cannot issue any notice as they are not our partners. But this is a matter of concern for us, so we will do whatever best we can,” Shah added. The 37-year-old Sri Lankan was part of Delhi Giants in the rebel league.

When contacted, ESPN Star Sports declined to comment on the issue.

In January this year, the Indian board was said to have been instrumental in getting veteran South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan removed from the position of commentator on SuperSport in South Africa’s home series against West Indies because of his his involvement with the ICL as coach of the Kolkata Tigers.

The BCCI’s stand against ICL has raised a stir in the international players’ federation and has even brought the BCCI and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) at loggerheads after IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s statement that ICL players will not be allowed to participate in the proposed T20 Champions League.