In the second game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Pakistan on October 06, 2023, Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede delivered an exceptional performance with both the bat and the ball. He not only secured figures of 4/62 with the ball but also emerged as the top scorer for his side, notching 67 runs from 68 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
During the 29th over, De Leede played one of the standout shots of the match when he struck Haris Rauf for a six. The Dutch cricketer’s audacious shot was followed by a wink directed at the Pakistan fast bowler, adding a touch of flair to the game.
Bas de Leede managed to secure four wickets and contributed 67 runs for the Netherlands
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Deo Leede was the star of the night for the Netherlands with both bat and ball. In the first innings, he took four wickets for 62 runs, taking two wickets in an over twice, before coming out to bat at N0.4 in the run-chase and top-scoring with a battling 67 off 68 balls.
During his innings of 67, Bas de Leede recorded six boundaries and two maximums, one of which was a remarkable hook over the square leg boundary against a swift Haris Rauf bouncer in the 29th over of the innings. Following this audacious shot, De Leede playfully winked at Rauf, harking back to their prior encounter at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
In the Pakistan-Netherlands match during the T20 World Cup last year, de Leede faced a severe blow to the helmet from a Rauf bouncer, resulting in an injury that necessitated his departure from the field. He was subsequently substituted by concussion replacement Logan van Beek.
Following that match, Rauf had a conversation with de Leede in which he extended his well wishes and encouraged the all-rounder to make a strong comeback. Rauf’s words were, “Hope for your speedy recovery. Come back stronger and hit long sixes again.”
De Leede’s wink was undeniably a reference to this past incident. He was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Nawaz in the 34th over after scoring 67 runs, effectively diminishing Netherlands’ chances of victory.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan managed to amass a total of 286 despite the loss of three quick wickets in the early stages, thanks to half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, along with determined resistance from Shadab Khan and Nawaz in the lower order.
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