Watch: Bas de Leede produced an all-round performance for the ages to seal the Netherlands’ spot in the ODI World Cup with a stunning century from No.4. He repeated his all-round heroics in the main tournament against Pakistan today (October 6), albeit in a losing cause this time around.
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The Dutch allrounder took four wickets in his debut fifty-over World Cup match, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Hassan Ali as the Netherlands bowled Pakistan out for a competitive 286. He then went on to score a 68-ball 67, giving the Netherlands hope of chasing their target down, before they ultimately fell 81 runs short.
In doing so, De Leede joined an exclusive club of ten players who have taken a World Cup four-for and scored a half-century. He also emulated his father’s (Tim de Leede) feat of taking four wickets in a World Cup match. His performance evoked memories of his all-round feat which sealed the Netherlands’ place in the main competition back in July, where he hit a 92-ball 123 in the Qualifier tournament against Scotland and took a five-wicket haul.
The Netherlands had lost half their side for 153 in the match, and still needed 125 runs from the next 13 overs to usurp Scotland’s run-rate. De Leede’s brilliant counter-attack set the stage for a four-wicket win.
The prolific allrounder was also the Netherlands’ leading wicket-taker at the 2022 T20 World Cup, helping them to reach the Super 12s for the first time. It was in that tournament where de Leede’s talent found a larger audience and support from his peers, including Pakistan quick Haris Rauf.
Against Pakistan, de Leede was hit on the head by a ferocious bouncer by Rauf, getting a deep cut below the right eye. Rauf checked up on the batter, who was forced to retire hurt, walking off with a bloodied face.
After the game, Rauf’s gesture to de Leede earned him plenty of plaudits: a video captured him hugging the injured 23-year-old and wishing him a speedy recovery. “You’ll come back stronger,” Rauf said, “and hit sixes!”
‘You’ll come back stronger!’ 💪
Watch the great camaraderie off the field between Haris Rauf and Bas de Leede despite a fiery contest on the pitch 🤝#T20WorldCup | 📽: @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/VbyZFiCEOD
— ICC (@ICC) October 30, 2022
De Leede did come back stronger when faced with the express pace of Rauf again in the current 50-over World Cup in India. He hit two sixes in his impressive innings, including one off Rauf. After he pulled the quick behind square and over the leg-side boundary, De Leede walked down the pitch towards Rauf and shot him a wink before flashing a smile.
Rauf finished the game the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with three wickets, while De Leede has marked himself out as one to watch in the tournament.
Watch: Bas de Leede winks at Haris Rauf after hitting him for six:
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