Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Pakistan thump Netherlands to go through

Shahid Afridi starred for Pakistan with the ball as the Test side ensured the end of the Netherlands's fairytale performance at the World Twenty20 at Lord's here on Tuesday.

Leg-spinner Afridi took four wickets for just 11 runs in his four overs - the fourth best return in all Twenty20 internationals - as 2007 finalists Pakistan won by 82 runs to book their place in the second phase Super Eights.

The Dutch, shock four-wicket winners over England at Lord's in Friday's tournament opener and with a better run-rate at the start, needed to make 151 to get through and so deny Pakistan the minium 25-run margin of victory they required.

But Afridi, well supported by fellow spinner Saeed Ajmal (three for 20), sparked a collapse that saw the Dutch decline from 42 for one to 93 all out.

Victory saw Pakistan, beaten by 48 runs by England at the Oval on Sunday, join the hosts in the second phase after they had made 175 for five with wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who later made four stumpings, top-score with 41.

By contrast, no Dutch batsman made more than Alexei Kervezee's 21.

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