New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has shut down a fan on social media who questioned his loyalty as he didn’t travel to Bangladesh for national assignments to play in T20 leagues. Meanwhile, the Black Caps side has copped a lot of criticisms for not sending their T20 World Cup squad to Bangladesh.
New Zealand cricketer Jimmy Neesham is not a part of the Kiwi squad that have traveled to Bangladesh and is due to tour Pakistan. However, he 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.
In the wake of it, a fan questioned Jimmy Neesham’s move to skip international tours for T20 leagues. Shutting down the fan, the all-rounder stated 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,” Jimmy Neesham wrote on Twitter.
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
Bangladesh bowl out New Zealand for 60 runs
New Zealand registered their joint-lowest T20I score as they were bowled out by the host for a paltry score of 60 runs. Electing to bat, New Zealand were bowled out for 60 in the 17th over. Mustafizur Rahman claimed three wickets while Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Mohammad Saifuddin contributed with two wickets each.
All over at Mirpur!
Bangladesh register a convincing seven-wicket win with five overs to spare and go 1-0 up in the T20I series 👏#BANvNZ | https://t.co/4Bvg9arZLr pic.twitter.com/BH9d6hRwDE
— ICC (@ICC) September 1, 2021
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Bangladesh Opener Tamim Iqbal Pulls Of The Mega T20 Event
In reply, Shakib Al Hasan played a good hand of 25 runs after New Zealand removed the openers cheaply. In the end, it was Mustafizur Rahman and Mahmudullah, who held nerves to take Bangladesh home with over four overs to spare.