Bas de Leede: In a thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, cricket fans witnessed a remarkable display of all-round prowess by Bas de Leede, as he led the charge for the Netherlands in their 2023 World Cup clash against Pakistan. On Friday, October 6, de Leede showcased his talent both with the ball and the bat, leaving a lasting impression on cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
The medium-pacer kicked off his stellar performance by wreaking havoc with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 4/62. Among his notable scalps were the wickets of key Pakistani batsmen, including the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan. His ability to extract movement and find crucial breakthroughs proved to be vital for his team.
However, de Leede’s heroics were far from over. When the Netherlands came out to bat, the right-handed batsman turned into an aggressor, smashing 67 runs off just 68 balls. His innings featured two majestic sixes and six well-timed boundaries, showcasing his ability to shift gears when required. Notably, he built a resilient 70-run partnership with Vikramjit Singh for the third wicket, providing hope for the Dutch side.
It was in the 34th over of the run chase that the turning point of the match occurred. Mohammad Nawaz, a Pakistani bowler, bowled a delivery that angled in sharply from around the wicket. The ball pitched around the middle stump and then deviated away. De Leede, caught off guard, attempted to play it off the back foot but completely missed the line. The result was a clean bowled dismissal as the ball crashed into the top of the off-stump.
For those unfamiliar with Bas de Leede’s recent achievements, his performance in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers had been remarkable. He had scalped 15 wickets and contributed 123 runs with the bat, playing a pivotal role in his team’s qualification for this prestigious ICC event. At just 23 years of age, de Leede’s future in international cricket looks promising, and he will undoubtedly aim to continue his exploits against New Zealand in their upcoming World Cup clash at the same venue on Monday, October 9.
Bas de Leede Shines with Bat and Ball in 2023 World Cup Clash
The cricketing world took to social media platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to shower praise on Bas de Leede for his exceptional all-round display. One user wrote:
“Bas de Leede’s performance today was nothing short of spectacular! Bowling figures of 4/62 and a blazing 67 with the bat – a true all-rounder in the making. 👏🏏 #CricketWorldCup #BasdeLeede”
In the end, though Bas de Leede’s efforts were admirable, it was Pakistan who emerged victorious in the contest, winning by a margin of 81 runs. Pakistan’s innings saw key contributions from Saud Shakeel and Mohammed Rizwan, who both scored 68 runs. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan also chipped in with valuable runs. In response, the Netherlands could only manage a total of 205 runs, with Vikramjit Singh top-scoring with 52 runs.
On the bowling front, Haris Rauf was Pakistan’s standout performer, finishing with figures of 3/43, while Hasan Ali claimed two wickets. Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan each picked up one wicket apiece.
Following their victorious start, Pakistan is now set to face Sri Lanka at the same venue on Tuesday, October 10, in what promises to be another exciting clash in the 2023 World Cup.