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Braat keeps pushing for the love of the game

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Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:26 AM
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Braat keeps pushing for the love of the game
  Bangla Press Desk:  In South Asia, 32 often means the twilight of a cricketer’s career. But for Sebastiaan Braat, it has meant a new dawn. The Dutch all-rounder, back in the Netherlands squad after four years, has been handed a lifeline in Bangladesh — and he is determined to make the most of it. Braat is the senior-most member of the touring party, a right-arm seamer with a reputation for big-hitting down the order and sharp fielding. His last appearance in orange came in 2021, and for many, that might have been the end. But he never gave up. “I think my last games were in 2021. So, four years ago, and yeah, obviously training really hard to really get back into this group because I love being around the guys, but especially also just being around that high level of cricket, and then if you can do it in Bangladesh, even better,” Braat told Daily Sun, smiling after their final practice session in Sylhet.
The heat and humidity in Sylhet are punishing, but for Braat, simply being back is rewarding enough. Time has changed him as well.  “I obviously got a little bit older. I'm the oldest of the group, which is something new for me, but yeah, I think I’ve just gained a lot of experience. I’m a lot calmer and I used to be very hyped up and still have a lot of energy, but I think in difficult situations. But in pressure situations I find calmness and peace go with my experience.” That calmness has been hard-earned. Missing out on national selection was never easy, but Braat stayed in the game because of one thing: love. “I just love the game. I think I love being fit so I try to stay fit for myself. I feel the best when I’m fit and I just love the game so I just keep staying fit and I’ll keep playing cricket and try and compete wherever I can because I really want to win everything. To get all of that, makes me want to be here. And I got a chance again.” He paused before adding, almost defiantly: “I was never out of cricket.” Still, he admits the time away was testing.
“It was obviously difficult because this is the place where you want to be. I think the only thing that keeps you going is a love for the game and I think the eagerness to represent your country is a massive honour so that just keeps me going and to help the team in every way possible.” His recall was built on performances at home.  “I took 30 wickets in the highest level in the Netherlands, and I started the local T20 series as well. I took 15 wickets in 7 games and next year we’ve got a pro series which is basically sort of the north and south of the country against each other. I did well in that as well, so I think this is the stepping stone back into national team cricket.” For Braat, the label “all-rounder” is not just a tag.  “I think I prize myself on my fielding, which you’ve probably also seen on Instagram. I love to be in the field and I work really hard on that. In terms of batting, I am a hard hitting batsman. I like to hit the ball through the boundary and bowling. I think I am very skillful and I think I could be one of the best all-rounders in the Netherlands, but we also have to face the reality that I’m a little bit older.” Older, yes, but far from done. Even while balancing a full-time job since the age of 24 — “because I need to earn money as well, which makes it very difficult” — Braat never allowed cricket to slip away.
He kept working, kept training, kept believing. And now, back in Dutch colours in Bangladesh — even though he didn’t feature in any match of the T20I series — Braat stands as living proof that chances do come, if you stay ready. For him, it has always been about the love of the game, and that love keeps him pushing forward. This article was originally published on Daily Sun.
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
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[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]

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