Afridi sends Dutch spinning to defeat

Younis Khan was a relieved man at the end of the must-win match — AP photo.

Shahid Afridi starred for Pakistan with the ball as the Test side ensured the end of theNetherlands’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 minimum 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.‘Afridi was outstanding and we struggled on this wicket,’ said Dutch skipper Jeroen Smits.‘We talked about Afridi and that we had to play him straight, but we didn’t do it.‘However, it’s still been a privilege to be here even if we didn’t make it to the Super Eights.’Pakistan captain Younus Khan was relieved that his team had avoided suffering the fate ofAustralia who lost both their matches and were eliminated.‘We were much better today and the partnerships were important,’ said Younus. ‘Our spinners bowled very well.’ The Dutch chase started briskly with Darron Reekers striking fours off left-arm quicks Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Aamir.But Afridi struck with his first ball when he bowled former Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent for 13.That left the Dutch 42 for two in the eighth over.It was the start of a collapse from which they never recovered.Tom de Grooth, who made 49 against England, could not repeat his heroics this time and was bowled by Afridi, better known as a hard-hitting batsman, who took three wickets in the space of 10 balls.