New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham recently made headlines for his off-field wit following a standout performance in the T20 World Cup final. After claiming three wickets in a single over during the T20 World Cup 2026 final, Neesham received a congratulatory message from his Nepal Premier League franchise, the Pokhara Avengers. However, rather than a standard thank-you, the Kiwi star took the moment to deliver a pointed and cheeky public reminder regarding outstanding financial obligations.
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James Neesham takes a dig ‘Pay Your Players’ dig at Nepal Premier League franchise
The exchange began on Instagram, where the Pokhara Avengers celebrated Neesham’s clinical over and expressed their pride in having him represent the team during the tournament's most recent season. Neesham quickly pivoted the conversation from his on-field success to administrative matters, dropping a comment that urged the franchise to ensure their players were paid. The response quickly went viral, highlighting the all-rounder's reputation for using humor to address serious issues within the professional cricketing circuit.
“Outstanding over from Jimmy Neesham in the 16th over of the T20 World Cup Final. W 0 0 1 W W. 3 wickets, 1 run and 2 dots against India. A brilliant spell on the big stage. Unfortunate that New Zealand finished as runners-up in the final. Proud to have seen him represent Pokhara Avengers in NPL Season 2,” Pokhara Avengers post read.
Cool, pay your players: James Neesham
Neesham responded to the franchise’s praise with a brief but pointed remark: "Cool, pay your players." This succinct reply effectively shifted the narrative from his individual brilliance on the world stage to a lingering issue regarding player compensation within the Nepal Premier League.
“Cool, pay your players,” he wrote.
Talking about the match, India stormed into the record book by becoming the first nation to secure three T20 World Cup titles. Their clinical 96-run win over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium was a masterclass in championship pressure. After being invited to bat, the defending champions posted a mammoth 255/5, anchored by Sanju Samson’s sublime 89 off 46 balls. Samson’s third consecutive half-century proved to be the bedrock of the innings, ensuring the hosts set a target that rewrote the record books for a tournament final.
New Zealand’s pursuit of the 256-run target never truly gained momentum as the Indian bowling attack remained relentless. Despite a spirited 52 from opener Tim Seifert, the Black Caps were unable to sustain the required run rate and were eventually bundled out for 159 in 19 overs. The local stars led the way with the ball; Jasprit Bumrah delivered a devastating spell of 4/15, while Axar Patel’s 3/27 consistently broke the visitors' resistance, ensuring a celebratory night for the home crowd.