Pakistan and Netherlands faced each other in a do-or-die match on Sunday, October 30th. Both needed a win in order to keep their hopes of a semi-final qualification alive. Pakistan having lost back-to-back matches needed a win and hope for favourable results in other matches to still be with a chance of qualification.
Pakistan came into the game full of intent and it showed in their bowling. Featuring some of the fastest bowlers in the world, the Pakistan attack looked out for symbolic blood against the Netherlands team. What came out however was a blood of real kind.
Bowling in the sixth over, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf dropped a ball short against Netherlands batter Bas de Leede and it hit him on the cheekbone. What followed with swelling and a drip of blood from the injury. The Netherlands batter had to be taken out of the game as he could not continue due to the injury.
Here’s the video:
Haris Rauf ?? Bas de Leede
The Netherlands batsman was forced to retire hurt after being hit by a Haris Rauf bouncer, suffering a cut and swelling on his face.#PAKvsNED | #T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/k5vO8FpFW8
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) October 30, 2022
Images from the later stages of the game showed the injury to be becoming worse and the areas around the eye swollen. Things however seem to be fine between Haris Rauf and Leede as both were seen hugging it out in the latest video doing the round of the internet.
The video shows, Rauf shaking hands with Leede as the Netherlands batter says, “I was ready to walk back out there.” Rauf who was seen dejected after his ball hit Leede, said, “Hope for your speedy recovery. Come back stronger and hit long sixes again.”
As for the match, it was a straightforward win for Pakistan in their third match. They halted Netherland at just 91/9 and chased down the target in 13.5 overs after losing 4 wickets. With this win, Pakistan have opened their account but still remain fifth in Group 2 points table. Netherlands meanwhile are winless in the Super 12 stage and linger at the bottom of the table. The Group is now topped by South Africa who are with 5 points from 3 matches. India remains second with 4 points in 3 matches.
