NED vs SL: Paul Van Meekeren's Old Tweet Resurfaces After Netherlands' Historic Win Over South Africa In World Cup 2023

Paul van Meekeren’s three-year-old tweet about working as a delivery boy went viral after the Netherlands’ victory against South Africa in the ICC World Cup 2023. Paul van Meekeren delivered the food due to cricket’s uncertain future amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Netherlands registered a 38-run win over the Temba Bavuma-led team at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Tuesday, October 17. Paul van Meekeren picked up two wickets, including Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen, to help the team register a historic win.

This victory marked the Netherlands cricket team‘s first-ever win against a Test-playing nation in ODIs and South Africa’s first defeat to a non-Test-playing nation in this format. The Dutch also defeated the Protea team in last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Should’ve Been Playing Cricket Today – Paul van Meekeren

In his three-year-old tweet, Paul van Meekeren emphasized the importance of staying positive amidst challenges. He shared this message in response to the postponement of the T20 World Cup 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Should’ve been playing cricket today ?? now I’m delivering Uber eats to get through the winter months!! Funny how things change hahaha keep smiling people? ,” van Meekeren wrote in November 2020.

Should’ve been playing cricket today ?? now I’m delivering Uber eats to get through the winter months!! Funny how things change hahaha keep smiling people ? https://t.co/kwVEIo6We9

— Paul van Meekeren (@paulvanmeekeren) November 15, 2020

VVS Laxman commended the Dutch cricket team’s remarkable achievement and emphasized the significance of perseverance and pursuing one’s dreams.

“What an incredible story the Dutch have written for themselves. Shows once again that Never give up and keep chasing your dreams,” Laxman wrote.

What an incredible story the Dutch have written for themselves.
Shows once again that “Never give up and keep chasing your dream’s”. #NEDvSA https://t.co/rFBGE6Rqu1

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 17, 2023

I Need Some Income – Paul van Meekeren

Paul van Meekeren’s tweet reflects the challenges faced by cricketers from non-Test-playing nations, such as the Netherlands, the USA, and Oman. Meekeren had lost his contract after suffering a back injury and was forced to seek a part-time job.

“I had enough savings but they’re savings that I don’t want to touch. But I’ve dipped so deep into my reserves now that I had to think about what I was going to do this winter because there isn’t going to be any cricket. I need some income,” van Meekeren told The Cricketer in 2020.

“At the start, I was looking for a job to just cover the simple things like petrol, food, rent, phone bills and those kinds of things,” he said. “But then, I also wanted to be as flexible as possible if any cricket opportunity did come up – whether with the Dutch team, franchise cricket or a chance to train with a county. That’s what happened and I’ve been very open about it to my friends: I was never ashamed of the fact that I was going to do it,” he added.

Also read: NZ vs NED: Watch: Daryl Mitchell Shatters The Stumps With His Shot, Paul van Meekeren Asks For Mercy