'Blame our government' - Hafeez takes a dig at New Zealand for Pakistan series cancellation, McClenaghan responds

Mohammad Hafeez, the veteran Pakistan cricketer, has taken a dig at New Zealand cricket for abandoning their tour of Pakistan prior to its start. On Saturday, September 18, the Black Caps’ cricketers and other personnel returned to their home country. Wasim Khan, the chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, had said that a chartered flight would be arranged for the players.

Hafeez, who recently played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the 2021 CPL, lauded the Pakistan armed former for making the necessary arrangements for the New Zealand cricket team to go back. The 40-year-old also criticised the Kiwis for backing out of the tour due to ‘security threats’.

Hafeez took to Twitter and wrote, “Thanks to the secutity of pakistan forces to make arrangements to @BLACKCAPS to reach at airport Safe & Sound. Wonder same route & same security but no threat today???”

In the meantime, Mitchell McClenaghan, the New Zealand fast bowler, hit back at Hafeez for the tweet in “bad taste”. The speedster said that the visiting team had nothing to do with the recent development and rather, they had “no choice”.

McClenaghan replied to Hafeez and wrote, “Come now bro. This has a bad taste to it… Don’t blame the players or the organisation… blame our government. They have only acted on the advice they have received. I’m absolutely certain these young men – all wanting to prove themselves wanted to play. They had no choice.”

Mitchell McClenaghan’s reply to Mohammad Hafeez

The first ODI was scheduled to take place on Friday, September 17 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. However, chaos unfolded when the players didn’t arrive at the venue and crowds weren’t allowed to enter the stadium. Later, NZC released a statement, stating that its decision of pulling out of the tour.

“Following an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground, it has been decided the BLACKCAPS will not continue with the tour,” David White, the NZC chief executive, said in a statement.

“I understand this will be a blow for the PCB, who have been wonderful hosts, but player safety is paramount and we believe this is the only responsible option,” the statement added.