Gayle coming to Pakistan, McClenaghan hits back at Hafeez after NZ tour pullout

West Indies opener Chris Gayle lifted the spirits of Pakistan fans, in a tweet on Saturday, amid the gloom and doom of New Zealand tour pullout.

Gayle sent Twitter into a frenzy after stating that he is “going to Pakistan tomorrow”.

I’m going to Pakistan tomorrow, who coming with me? 😉🙌🏿

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) September 18, 2021

Although, Gayle might not come to Pakistan but his tweet may go a long way in endorsing the fact that the country is safe for cricket.

The hard-hitting opener is currently in UAE, training with Punjab Kings side, for remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), 2021, which is resuming on Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retweeted Gayle’s tweet from their official handle.

Meanwhile, New Zealand pacer Mitchell McClenaghan has hit back at Pakistan’s all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for blaming the players after the Kiwis abandoned Pakistan tour.

Hafeez had taken a dig at the New Zealand squad for trusting the security arrangements while leaving Pakistan.   

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

“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,” McCLenaghan wrote on his twitter handle while replying to Hafeez’s tweet.

However, the left-arm pacer, later, deleted that tweet.

New Zealand abandoned the tour on the day of the opening fixture on Friday citing a government security alert, while England are also reconsidering their men's and women's team visits to Pakistan next month.

The tour was due to start with the first of three ODIs in Rawalpindi but New Zealand did not travel to the stadium.