Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Wednesday | June 10, 2009
Home : Sport
Pakistan in Super 8
LONDON (AP):

Pakistan beat the Netherlands by 82 runs yesterday to ensure their passage through to the Super 8 stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Shahid Afridi took 4-11, while Kamran Akmal had four stumpings and hit 41 as Pakistan bowled out the Dutch for 93.

"Everything went to plan," captain Younus Khan said. "Beforehand, I said 170 or 180 would be enough. It's always good fun when you have a tight game and come from behind and win. The spinners are doing very well at the moment."

After losing their opening game against England on Sunday, Pakistan needed to win by at least 24 runs to avoid being eliminated on run rate. After winning the toss and opting to bat, they made 175-5, with Khan contributing 36.

Bad day

"We didn't have a good day," Netherlands captain Jeroen Smits said. "Afridi was outstanding. That's what we said in the morning: we had to fear Afridi and to play him straight, but that's not what we did.

"Our bowling was OK but (the total) was too much for us. Unfortunately, we didn't make it through to the Super 8s, but I think we made an impact on Friday night (when the Dutch beat England)."

One-run win

In the later game, South Africa beat New Zealand by a single run to win Group D.

Both sides had already qualified for the Super 8s but didn't let up as South Africa successfully defended the lowest total in a Twenty20 international.

The Africans made a modest 128-7 from their 20 overs, but a miserly spell from Roelof van der Merwe, who took 2-14 from his four overs, restricted the Kiwis to 127-5.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith scored 33 and put on an opening stand of 49 with Kallis, who hit 24, but South Africa lost their next nine wickets for 77, thanks to an excellent fielding display from New Zealand. Ian Butler was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 2-13.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum - standing in for the injured Daniel Vettori - made 57, but his side's run chase was hindered by the early losses of Martin Guptil (6), caught by Van der Merwe off Dale Steyn, and Neil Broom (1), who offered a return catch to Kallis.

Ross Taylor suffered a suspected hamstring injury and the run rate crept up and the momentum shifted decisively when Van der Merwe had McCullum stumped for 57 by Mark Boucher.

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