(Credit X)

Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan responded strongly to a Pakistani journalist who criticized the New Zealand team for their potential elimination from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Despite being the runners-up in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2021, New Zealand has struggled in the current tournament. They have yet to secure a victory in the group stage, placing them in a precarious position for advancement. Their group includes co-hosts West Indies, Afghanistan, and minnows Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

The Blackcaps began their T20 World Cup journey with a surprising loss to Afghanistan, which dealt them an unexpected setback. Today, they suffered a second consecutive defeat at the hands of the West Indies, complicating Kane Williamson’s path to the Super Eights.

Their remaining group matches against Uganda and Papua New Guinea now hold significant importance, as New Zealand’s qualification for the next stage hinges on the outcome of the Windies vs. Afghanistan match as well.

Following New Zealand’s elimination from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistani journalist Imran Siddique took aim at the team, particularly their senior players. He criticized the Blackcaps not just for their exit from the tournament but also for their actions leading up to it.

Siddique highlighted the absence of New Zealand’s senior players during the T20I series against Pakistan in April 2024, which coincided with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Instead of participating in the Pakistan tour, most of the senior Kiwi players opted to play in the IPL, resulting in New Zealand sending a relatively inexperienced squad for the Pakistan series.

Contrary to expectations, the young and inexperienced New Zealand team managed to secure a commendable 2-2 draw against Pakistan, showcasing their capability despite being labeled as underdogs. However, Siddique argued that New Zealand’s failure to send their senior players for the Pakistan tour ultimately impacted their preparation for the T20 World Cup.

According to Siddique, the Kiwi players would have been better prepared had they participated in the T20I series in Pakistan, rather than prioritizing financial gains in the IPL. He suggested that the absence of proper preparation contributed to New Zealand’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, implying that they paid the price for prioritizing monetary interests over national duty.

“This is What Happens when you Prefer Money over National Duty New Zealand Had a great Chance to prepare themselves for World Cup 2024 on Pakistan Tour but their Main Players Choose IPL and now they are out of the World Cup,” Imran Siddique wrote on X.

In response to Imran Siddique’s tweet, former pacer Mitchell McClenaghan criticized the journalist’s perspective on New Zealand’s elimination. McClenaghan reminded Siddique about Pakistan’s losses to New Zealand’s C team, as well as defeats against Ireland and the USA in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He deemed Siddique’s viewpoint as “Very poor take. You lost games to our C side, Ireland and the USA,” he said.