Netherlands and Pakistan kicked off their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign on Friday, October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede’s stunning four-wicket haul helped Netherlands restrict Pakistan to 286 runs in 49 overs. De Leede grabbed eyeballs by emulating his father Tim’s 20-year-old heroics in Match 3 of the marquee event.
Opting to bowl first, the Netherlands had a superb powerplay. Logan van Beek gave an early breakthrough by removing out-of-form Fakhar Zaman in the fourth over. Skipper Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq returned to the pavilion in quick succession as Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 38-3 in 9.1 overs. However, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan built a century partnership to put Pakistan on track.
As the two were rebuilding the Pakistan innings, Bas de Leede was introduced into the attack in the 16th over. De Leede did not grab any wickets in his first spell but curb the flow of runs with dot balls. Aryan Dutt, however, broke the dangerous 120 partnership in the 29th over by getting rid of Shakeel.
Bas de Leede’s timely strikes kept Pakistan in check
De Leede was brought back in the attack in the 31st over by skipper Scott Edwards. The batting all-rounder rewarded the captain’s faith by taking the priceless wicket of Rizwan with a beautiful seam delivery. Two balls later, he dismissed Pakistan power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed, who edged the ball to Edwards.
Then spin-bowling all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz took over the scoring responsibility. They stitched a 64-run stand and looked on course to take the team total to 300-plus. However, De Leede dashed their hopes by producing two wickets off two deliveries, sending Shadab and pacer Hasan Ali back into the hut.
The 23-year-old’s performance was reminiscent of his father Tim de Leeds’s match-winning performance against India in the 2003 ODI World Cup. In the seventh match of the showpiece event, Tim recorded his best ODI bowling figures of 4/35 in 9.5 overs, taking the key wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. It is the best bowling return for the Netherlands in the World Cup, and 20 years later his son registered the fourth-best figures.
Here’s how fans reacted to Bas de Leede’s four-wicket haul against Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup:
No DNA test needed
— Yash Bhadouriya ?? (@Yashvenom45) October 6, 2023
Leede family leading by example ?
— Avinash Ahuja (@Siimplyavinash) October 6, 2023
Bahut achha bowler hai bhai
— Ankit Verma (@TechyWicket) October 6, 2023
Father – india
Son – PakistanHence proved ?
— Avinash P (@avinashparmar97) October 6, 2023
Like father like son
— Mayank Goel (@MayankRMFC) October 6, 2023
Father against India ??
Son against Pakistan ??
That family must love playing against Desi players ?
Great Job Bas De Leede pic.twitter.com/bpHBStBd8P— Sammy ? (@sammyX39) October 6, 2023
Great bowling from Netherlands bowler ??
— Mintu Dutta (@MNGamin65372627) October 6, 2023
Father – Son Duo?
— Crickstufffs (@farzibhai45) October 6, 2023
Legacy continue ??
— Gauravgupta (@Gauravg2152) October 6, 2023
Backbone of Netherland team ?
— Yash Bhadouriya ?? (@Yashvenom45) October 6, 2023
Bas de Leede made Pakistan his son today.
— *Roe Joot* (@ImGani22) October 6, 2023
