James Neesham gives a fitting response to a Pakistan fan who accused him of playing for money

The Country vs Club debate is one that has hogged a lot of limelight. While some players choose to keep their country ahead of their clubs, there are others who offer their services to their clubs first and even skip national duty.

One such issue recently hogged the limelight on social media. New Zealand cricketer James Neesham is not a part of the Kiwi squad that will tour Bangladesh and Pakistan this month. But then, Neesham will be available for the Mumbai Indians (MI) side for the second half of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that will be held in the UAE.

And, one Pakistan fan was not impressed with Neesham’s decision to feature in the second half of the IPL. The fan accused Neesham of skipping national duties for money. And to this accusation, the Kiwi cricketer has responded.

Stating that he has been receiving a lot of messages regarding this matter, Neesham tweeted that it was a part of the New Zealand Cricket Player Welfare Policy that he is not a part of this tour. Neesham added that he made a request for exemption, but the same was denied by the board.

“I’m getting a lot of messages like this so I want to be crystal clear. It is an NZ Cricket player welfare policy that first-choice players aren’t on this tour. I made a request for an exemption but that request was denied,” tweeted Neesham.

You can see James Neesham’s tweet below

I’m getting a lot of messages like this so I want to be crystal clear.

It is an NZ Cricket player welfare policy that first choice players aren’t on this tour. I made a request for an exemption but that request was denied. https://t.co/m3CglBWFYF

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 1, 2021

James Neesham is a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) side in the IPL

James Neesham was bought for a sum of INR 50 Lakhs by the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise ahead of the 14th edition of the IPL. However, the Black Caps’ all-rounder featured in just a solitary match in the first half of the tournament.

In the only match he played in the first half of IPL 2021 against the Chennai side, Neesham produced a poor performance with both bat and ball. While he scored a first-ball duck with the willow, he leaked 26 runs in the 2 overs that he bowled, and failed to scalp even a single wicket.

Mumbai Indians will play their first match of the second phase of the IPL on 19th September 2021 against the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side.