New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has labelled the ongoing T20I series between hosts India and New Zealand 'meaningless'. McClenaghan made the remark while responding to a taunt from a fan, who reminded him that the T20 World Cup 2021 finalists have lost the series against India after back-to-back defeats in the first two matches.

India won a close encounter by four wickets to get off to a winning start in the series before clinching the second T20I comprehensively by seven wickets on Friday to make it two wins in a row. India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead and have sealed the three-match series with the third and final T20I being a dead rubber.

McClenaghan, who is quite active on social media and keeps engaging with fans on the micro-blogging site, seemed quite upset when a fan taunted him over New Zealand's series loss. "New Zealand lose series," a fan wrote in a tweet. Responding to him, McClenaghan said it is a meaningless series taking place 72 hours after a T20 World Cup final with the hosts getting more rest.

“Did they? You mean in meaningless series 72 hours after a WC final defeat with 3 games in 5 days playing a team with 10 days rest in their home conditions?” McClenaghan told the fan.

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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tim-paine-opens-up-on-sexting-scandal-was-a-consensual-exchange-never-thought-would-become-an-issue-430890">Tim Paine opens up on sexting scandal: Never thought it&nbsp;would become an issue</a>

New Zealand had qualified for the final of the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021. However, they lost the summit clash against eventual champions Australia, who went on to lift their maiden T20 World Cup title after earning a dominating 8-wicket win in the final.

New Zealand's lost only one game in the Super 12 stage against Pakistan and won the rest of their four matches to qualify as the second-ranked team from Group 2. They defeated favourites England in the first semi-final to become the first finalists of the tournament but couldn't lift the coveted trophy.

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New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has labelled the ongoing T20I series between hosts India and New Zealand 'meaningless'. McClenaghan made the remark while responding to a taunt from a fan, who reminded him that the T20 World Cup 2021 finalists have lost the series against India after back-to-back defeats in the first two matches.

New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has labelled the ongoing T20I series between hosts India and New Zealand 'meaningless'. McClenaghan made the remark while responding to a taunt from a fan, who reminded him that the T20 World Cup 2021 finalists have lost the series against India after back-to-back defeats in the first two matches. India won a close encounter by four wickets to get off to a winning start in the series before clinching the second T20I comprehensively by seven wickets on Friday to make it two wins in a row. India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead and have sealed the three-match series with the third and final T20I being a dead rubber. McClenaghan, who is quite active on social media and keeps engaging with fans on the micro-blogging site, seemed quite upset when a fan taunted him over New Zealand's series loss. "New Zealand lose series," a fan wrote in a tweet. Responding to him, McClenaghan said it is a meaningless series taking place 72 hours after a T20 World Cup final with the hosts getting more rest. “Did they? You mean in meaningless series 72 hours after a WC final defeat with 3 games in 5 days playing a team with 10 days rest in their home conditions?” McClenaghan told the fan. Also Read: Tim Paine opens up on sexting scandal: Never thought it would become an issue New Zealand had qualified for the final of the recently-concluded T20 World Cup 2021. However, they lost the summit clash against eventual champions Australia, who went on to lift their maiden T20 World Cup title after earning a dominating 8-wicket win in the final. New Zealand's lost only one game in the Super 12 stage against Pakistan and won the rest of their four matches to qualify as the second-ranked team from Group 2. They defeated favourites England in the first semi-final to become the first finalists of the tournament but couldn't lift the coveted trophy.

'Meaningless series': Mitchell McClenaghan responds as fan taunts him over NZ's loss against India

Mitchell McClenaghan responded to the Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez's taunt for the New Zealand players after the tour was abandoned. The 35-year-old Kiwi pacer asked Hafeez to not blame the players as they "acted on the advice" they received.&nbsp;

After the tour got cancelled, Pakistani cricketers expressed their frustration and disappointment, among them was Mohammad Hafeez. He posted an image of the NZ cricketers, who were at the airport and wrote, "Thanks to the secutity of pakistan forces to make arrangements to @BLACKCAPS to reach at airport Safe &amp; Sound. Wonder same route &amp; same security but no threat today???"&nbsp;

In a now-deleted tweet, McClenaghan 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."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/its-an-unfortunate-scenario-ramiz-raja-urges-pakistan-cricketers-to-channelise-anger-into-performance-414035">'It's an unfortunate scenario': Ramiz Raja urges Pakistan cricketers to channelise anger into performance</a>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thanks to the secutity of pakistan forces to make arrangements to <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BLACKCAPS</a> to reach at airport Safe &amp; Sound. Wonder same route &amp; same security but no threat today??? <a href="https://t.co/mwxq6AFjyT">pic.twitter.com/mwxq6AFjyT</a>
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22/status/1439226198194745344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The New Zealand cricket team arrived in Dubai after leaving Islamabad on a charter flight on September 18 as New Zealand was warned of a "specific, credible threat" against its team.&nbsp;

The official New Zealand cricket website has informed that the contingent of 34 players and support staff are in Dubai and undergoing their 24-hour period of self-isolation.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/as-pakistans-image-takes-a-nosedive-whats-next-for-the-cricket-crazy-nation-under-pm-imran-khan-414029">As Pakistan's image takes a nosedive, what's next for the cricket-crazy nation under PM Imran Khan?</a>

Some cricketers will fly back home and the rest will remain in the UAE and join New Zealand's T20 World Cup squad, ahead of that tournament commencing on October 17.&nbsp;

Pakistan and New Zealand were supposed to play on September 17 first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five-match T20 series.&nbsp;

Mitchell McClenaghan responded to the Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez's taunt for the New Zealand players after the tour was abandoned. The 35-year-old Kiwi pacer asked Hafeez to not blame the players as they "acted on the advice" they received.

Mitchell McClenaghan responded to the Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez's taunt for the New Zealand players after the tour was abandoned. The 35-year-old Kiwi pacer asked Hafeez to not blame the players as they "acted on the advice" they received. After the tour got cancelled, Pakistani cricketers expressed their frustration and disappointment, among them was Mohammad Hafeez. He posted an image of the NZ cricketers, who were at the airport 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 a now-deleted tweet, McClenaghan 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." ALSO READ | 'It's an unfortunate scenario': Ramiz Raja urges Pakistan cricketers to channelise anger into performance 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??? pic.twitter.com/mwxq6AFjyT — Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 18, 2021 × The New Zealand cricket team arrived in Dubai after leaving Islamabad on a charter flight on September 18 as New Zealand was warned of a "specific, credible threat" against its team. The official New Zealand cricket website has informed that the contingent of 34 players and support staff are in Dubai and undergoing their 24-hour period of self-isolation. ALSO READ | As Pakistan's image takes a nosedive, what's next for the cricket-crazy nation under PM Imran Khan? Some cricketers will fly back home and the rest will remain in the UAE and join New Zealand's T20 World Cup squad, ahead of that tournament commencing on October 17. Pakistan and New Zealand were supposed to play on September 17 first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for a five-match T20 series.

'Don't blame the players...Blame government': Mitchell McClenaghan to Mohammed Hafeez

New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan will replace Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

The left-arm pacer was ruled out of the tournament following a back injury.&nbsp;

The replacement was approved and confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a press release.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Mr. Behrendorff is suffering from a back problem and has been ruled out of the IPL 2018. In accordance with the Player Regulations, the Mumbai Indians were allowed to choose a replacement from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP),&rdquo; the release said. 
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The release added that McClenaghan, who played for Mumbai Indians in the last three editions, has been picked up by the franchise at his base price of Rs 1 crore.

Meanwhile, Behrendorff was bought by the Mumbai outfit for Rs 1.5 crore.

This will be McClenaghan&#39;s fourth season in the IPL. He went unsold in the IPL Auctions held in January.&nbsp;

In the past seasons, he had done well for Mumbai, and took 19 wickets in 14 games last year.&nbsp; 
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The left-arm pacer was ruled out of the tournament following a back injury

New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan will replace Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indians squad for the upcoming edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-arm pacer was ruled out of the tournament following a back injury. The replacement was approved and confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a press release. “Mr. Behrendorff is suffering from a back problem and has been ruled out of the IPL 2018. In accordance with the Player Regulations, the Mumbai Indians were allowed to choose a replacement from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP),” the release said. The release added that McClenaghan, who played for Mumbai Indians in the last three editions, has been picked up by the franchise at his base price of Rs 1 crore. Meanwhile, Behrendorff was bought by the Mumbai outfit for Rs 1.5 crore. This will be McClenaghan's fourth season in the IPL. He went unsold in the IPL Auctions held in January. In the past seasons, he had done well for Mumbai, and took 19 wickets in 14 games last year.

IPL 2018: Mitchell McClenaghan replaces injured Jason Behrendorff in Mumbai squad