Watch: ‘Come back stronger and hit long sixes again’- Haris Rauf meets Bas de Leede after his bouncer injured the batter
Bas de Leede-Haris Rauf (source: Twitter)
Pakistan won their first match of the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday, defeating the Netherlands by six wickets at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Pakistan reached 95 for four in 13.5 overs, chasing a 92-run target, with Mohammad Rizwan hammering 49 runs off 39 balls.
With a nasty bouncer that injured batter Bas de Leede during the match, pacer Haris Rauf perfectly laid out Pakistan’s intentions of getting back on track. Haris sent a short delivery on the fifth delivery of the first six overs, which surprised the batter and hit him on the helmet.
The opposing players and physio rushed over to check on him, and he had a cut on his cheek. De Leede had to leave the field, and the Netherlands had to name Logan van Beek as their concussion replacement. Following the game, the two were seen exchanging friendly words.
“I was ready to walk back out there”, the Dutch cricketer said to Rauf. “Hope for your speedy recovery. Come back stronger and hit long sixes again”, Rauf replied. The video of the same has gone viral all over the internet.
Here is Haris Rauf’s video
Great gesture from Haris Rauf. pic.twitter.com/te3s0pg9BT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 31, 2022
Despite returning to winning ways after back-to-back defeats, Pakistan’s path to the knockout stages became more difficult after South Africa defeated India in Perth on Sunday. South Africa leads Group 2 with five points from three games, followed by India (four points from three matches). Bangladesh is third (four points from three games), with Zimbabwe in fourth place (three points from three games). Meanwhile, Pakistan is fifth (two points from three games) and the Netherlands is last (zero points from three games).
The team led by Babar Azam will play their next game against South Africa on the 3rd of November at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The men in green will play their last match of the Super 12 Stages against Bangladesh. The Adelaide Oval will host the match on the 6th of November.
