Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede put on an exceptional show both with bat and ball against Pakistan on his ODI World Cup debut. De Leede could not end up on the winning side but he won the individual battle against Haris Rauf, avenging the hit he took in T20 World Cup 2022.
The Dutch all-rounder was hit by a menacing bouncer by Rauf in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The ball hit his face and he was taken off the field. Bleeding right under his eye, the young all-rounder did not take any further part in the game.
The 23-year-old had his chance as the Netherlands faced Pakistan in their opening game of the ODI World Cup 2023. He remembered the hit he took off the short ball. In the 29th over, De Leede was set as he had completed his half-century but the Pakistan speedster hit the deck to trouble him. This time he was able to get his head and the gloves away from the ball.
On the next delivery, De Leede expected another short ball. He got in the position to pull it over backward square leg for a massive six. After the ball sailed over the boundary, he winked at Rauf.
De Leede contributed with a 68-ball 67 which featured six fours and two sixes. Earlier, he took a four-fer as well to help Netherlands restrict Pakistan to 286.
“Bas de Leede is fantastic in all three departments of the game. Just needed someone to go with him,” skipper Scott Edwards said in the post-match presentation as his side lost the match by 81 runs.
De Leede also created a record in ODIs. He became the first all-rounder to take four or more wickets and score a half-century in consecutive ODIs.
On the other hand, Rauf was impressive with the old ball as he took the wicket of Teja Nidamanuru and Edwards in the 27th over. Later, he returned to dismiss tailender Paul van Meekeren after a mini battle with him. With the bat, he contributed with a 14-ball 16 cameo.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
