Pakistan beat plucky Holland

Pakistan qualified yesterday for the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 at the expense of Holland after all-rounder Shahid Afridi put in the fourth best T20 bowling performance ever, taking 4 for 11 off just four overs.

The Dutch had previously beaten England in the opening fixture of the tournament, but chasing Pakistan's 175-5 proved too much for them as they were all out for just 93.

Later at Lord's, South Africa (128-7) won a tight game with New Zealand (127-5) by just one run. Both teams had already qualified for the Super Eights and the Kiwis are struggling with injuries to key men including captain Daniel Vettori and bowler James Franklin.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Andy Bull, the Guardian: "The organisers of the World Twenty20 will sleep a deal more soundly tonight after Pakistan knocked out the Netherlands and qualified for the Super Eights. They did so with some ease, overcoming a handicap that meant they not only had to win, but do so by at least 25 runs to bump their net run rate up to ensure they would go through ahead of their opposition."

John Westerby, the Times: "Kamran Akmal made 41 off 30 balls at the top of the Pakistan order, but it was the competence of his wicketkeeping that made the difference. He became the fourth man in any form of international cricket - and the first since Kiran More for India against West Indies in a Test in 1988 - to complete four stumpings. In 19 Twenty20 internationals, Akmal has 14 stumpings, twice as many as the next man. It is a good tactic for this form of the game if you have canny bowlers and a competent wicketkeeper."

Simon Briggs, Daily Telegraph: "The performance of the Dutch has certainly raised the profile of cricket in a country where the phrase 'half-volley' will get you a pint of semi-skimmed milk. 'Cricket is no longer so boring' was the headline in one Dutch newspaper after the drama of the opening night, when Stuart Broad’s wild-eyed overthrow handed Holland victory off the final ball of the match. But it was always asking a lot of these players - all but two of whom are amateurs - to turn up and do it all over again against Pakistan, who finished as runners-up at the last World Twenty20 competition in South Africa." ·