Ruthless Pakistan beat Netherlands

Date released: 9 June 2009

Pakistan beat the Netherlands to ensure they qualify for the Super-8s of the ICC World T20, knocking the Dutch out. Re-live every ball from Lords.org's live coverage.

Live coverage

Netherlands: 93 all out
Pakistan: 175-5

Batsmen (runs): Jeroen Smits (10) & Pieter Seelaar (1)
Bowlers: Pavilion End: Umar Gul
Nursery End: Saeed Ajmal

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4:24pm Well done to Netherlands too. They came here with nothing to lose and head home with a record which matches Pakistan's - one win and one defeat.

Beating England at Lord's in the opening match will live long in these players' memories.

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4:22pm Well played Pakistan. They had to win by a big margin and they were entirely ruthless in the way they set about the Netherlands.

175 was a big total for any team to chase and with Afridi leading the way (with four wickets) and Akmal imperious behind the stumps (four stumpings) Pakistan crushed the life out of the Netherlands' hopes of qualifying.

Already the players are off the field and the South Africa team are out there sizing up the wicket as the Lord's ground-staff sweep and prepare it.

4:18pm 18th over: Three overs left, 59 runs needed to qualify - we're watching the final act of the Netherlands' excellent little cameo in the ICC World T20 - England 2009.

That's it - Gul's clean bowled Seelaar with a rippingly quick delivery which clatters the stumps.

Netherlands 93 all out - Seelaar b. Gul - 1

Pakistan win by 82 runs

4:09pm 17th over: Nannes is gone - he swings, misses and doesn't even bother to look back as Akmal destroys his stumps.

Netherlands 90-9 - st. Akmal b. Ajmal - 6

Four stumpings now for the 'keeper - he's playing well.

4:09pm 16th over: Umar Gul back on to bowl at the Pavilion End. Some odd running there - Smits missed it but Nannes was halfway down the pitch already... Smits sent him back.

Then an overthrow had Smits tempted to run but Nannes had his back to him so didn't notice! A hastily retreating Dutch captain ensures both batsmen are safe - for now.

They're at it again later in the over - both ending up at the strikers end with the ball back in Gul's hand - he shies at the stumps and misses! Netherlands run one... and run close to throwing the game away entirely!

4:04pm 15th over: Afridi's four overs are done now - the Dutch will be glad to see the back of him. Four wickets for him and wild applause from the Pakistan fans as he trots back to his fielding position.

Pakistan think they've got a run-out wicket now but we're going to the TV umpire...

I've had a look myself... I think that's out. TV umpire says "not out" - well, it was very close. Very, very close. Sympathy perhaps? No... the umpires are far too professional for that.

4:01pm 14th over: Despite it all the Netherlands aren't far off the required run-rate to get to 151 (and qualification) it's just a matter of not running out of wickets before they get there...

Schiferli's gone now, bunting a catch to Ajmal who takes it comfortably.

Netherlands 74-8 - Schiferli c. Ajmal b. Afridi - 2

3:57pm 13th over: Pakistan are well on top now. It was always going to be tough for the Dutch to beat a Pakistan team fighting for the place in the tournament - qualification for the Dutch looks a long way off now.

That will help though! A big six from Ten Doeschate, lofted into the Grand Stand! Great shot.

Ten Doeschate's gone now - and with him you think go Holland's faint chances.

Netherlands 71-7 - Ten Doeschate st. Akmal b. Malik - 14

3:53pm 12th over: Afridi's done it again - a wicket with the first ball of the over he bowled De Grooth.

Netherlands 61-5 - De Grooth b. Afridi - 4

Carnage now for the Netherlands... the batsman are finding Afridi unplayable at the moment. Another stumping by Akmal.

Netherlands 61-6 - Van Bunge st. Akmal b. Afridi - 0

3:50pm 11th over: Shoaib Malik comes on to bowl at the Nursery End.

A scattering of singles from the over leaves Netherlands 90 runs short of their qualifying (note, not game-winning) total.

3:46pm 10th over: Afridi has the batsmen tied down and the teams couldn't be more different in their nature at the moment. Pakistan are all nervous excitement and energy - Netherlands just nervous it seems.

3:41pm 9th over: The first two balls go high, high into the air at Lord's but both times it drops nowhere near a fielder. Unbelievable.

Fourth time (and ball) lucky - Borren gets under that one (again) and he's out. Salman Butt is unlikely to have enjoyed a simple catch more than that one after his earlier misses.

Netherlands 47-3 - Borren c. Butt b. Ajmal - 2

Two in the over now - Kervezee is headed back to the dugout. Ajmal whizzed that one past him and Amkal removes the bails.

Netherlands 48-3 - Ten Doeschate - st. Akmal b. Ajmal - 21

3:34pm 8th over: Another bowling change and Shahid Afridi is on at the Pavilion End as Pakistan press for a break through.

An inspired decision - Zuiderent's gone first ball to Afridi!

Netherlands 42-1 - Zuiderent b. Afridi - 12

3:34pm 7th over: Saeed Ajmal is the new bowler from the Nursery End as Pakistan turn to spin bowling.

Half the Pakistani journalists here in the Investec Media Centre are out of their chairs taking the "catch" themselves, but Zuiderent lifted that one nicely over the man at backward point - four runs.

Ajmal turns that one past Kerverzee and Akmal whips the bails off... Pakistan want the stumping decision but the batsman stands his ground - we're going to the TV umpire...

Not out - he had his back foot well inside his crease.

3:29pm 6th over: First bowling change, Umar Gul on at the Pavilion End.

Breaking news as if going out of the tournament at the group stage wasn't bad enough, Australia have been fined for their slow over-rate in the defeat to Sri Lanka. Ricky Ponting will be 10% of his match fee lighter, the rest of the team 5%. Salt + wounds. Ouch.

Similar for Pakistan as Zuiderent gets another lucky edge and it runs for four again. Ever get the feeling it's just not your day?

3:25pm 5th over: If Holland chase down 151 to knock Pakistan out, Salman Butt will look back at that missed catch with a lot of regret. It wasn't easy but it was very, very catchable.

3:21pm 4th over: A big swing and a lucky top edge from Kervezee (one of the few Dutch pros - he plays for Worcestershire) and it runs for four.

Another catching chance goes down! Zuiderent totally mishit that one and Salman Butt misses the catch.

3:17pm 3rd over: Back-slaps for Aamir and a quick change over from Pakistan as they try and keep up the tempo and pressure on the Dutch.

Sohail has new batsman Zuiderent playing and missing with some very rapid deliveries. Zuiderent's "real" job? He's a physiotherapist.

Kervezee mistimes that one and it loops up with two fielders in pursuit - but drops between them both! The batsman's safe.

3:14pm 2nd over: Mohammad Aamir is the other bowler but Reekers treats him the same - two powerful strokes for four make a poor start to the over.

But that's the last of Reekers now! Another attempt at a big hit offers a high looping catch to Sohail Tanvir who daren't drop it - and doesn't.

Neterlands 13-1 - Reekers c. Tanvir b. Aamir - 13

3:10pm 1st over: Sohail Tanvir will open for Pakistan. Remember, 151 runs will see Netherlands through at Pakistan's expense. Win lose or draw.

Reekers is a big chap (think Tim Bresnan's build) but he plays that one with wristy panache for four from the second ball of the innings.

3:07pm Players on the field - here we go...

3:04pm Just to emphasise the gulf between these two teams, most of the Netherlands squad are part-time cricketers. There are students, restauranteurs, and repo-men in the squad.

It seems somehow appropriate that Tom De Grooth, who flayed the England bowlers so brilliantly in the opening match, is a cricket coach. No doubt he could teach a few of the England players a thing or two! Will he have some tough lessons for Pakistan?

2:55pm So Pakistan close on an impressive 175. Judging from our earlier calculations they need to restrict (or bowl out) Netherlands for 150 or less.

Hold on to your mouse/keyboards - this should be exciting.

Send us your emails – how do you think it’s going? How much of shock would it be if Netherlands qualified at Pakistan’s expense?

Pakistan fans - feeling confident?

Netherlands fans - 151 runs to go through... that's 12 fewer than you chased to beat England here on Friday. Can you do it?

Send us your emails: Live@Lords.org

2:49pm 20th over: Nannes will bowl the last over of the innings.

Wow! Afridi threatens the windows in the Pavilion with that one... but it sails past and looks like it's into the Harris Garden!

Next ball and Nannes has bowled him! he gave himself room, swung and missed. Nannes didn't. Leg stump out of the ground and Afridi's gone.

Pakistan 171-5 - Afridi b. Nannes - 13

Three balls left of the over. Four more runs from them, aided by a misfield and:

Pakistan close on 175-5

2:45pm 19th over: Schiferli returns to the attack for Holland now.

Your emails - Our first email from a Netherlands supporter (I assume?). Michiel Bloemendaal is following our coverage from The Hague. "Goedenavond" Michiel!

Are you looking forward to the Netherlands' innings? It could be a really nail-biting finish!

2:39pm 18th over: Apparently it's not our Bazza on the balcony in the flats behind Lord's - he's following the match live on Lords.org from Liverpool.

Where are you enjoying our coverage from? Send us your emails - we'll give you a mention!

We should also mention Younus Khan - who has just blasted successive sixes (square of the wicket and then into the Pavilion) to send Pakistan racing past their 150.

He tries for a third... but Seelaar saw him coming and tempts him with a slower ball which he lofts to De Grooth's grateful hands.

Pakistan - 152-4 - Khan c. De Grooth b. Seelaar - 36

The batsmen had crossed and Misbah plays the shot his skipper meant to - down the ground for four. 17 runs from that over makes that the most expensive over so far.

2:37pm 17th over: The Pakistan batsmen are more like Olympic relay sprinters between the wickets now, every run counts as they try and rack up an imposing total.

2:32pm 16th over: Ryan Ten Doeschate is back, bowling from the Pavilion End. Seems like Daan Van Bunge is after an update on the rules - the umpire having a long chat to him about something.

That's a bit more like it from Pakistan - Younus letting fly and sending the ball soaring into the stands again. Six!

Four more as the batsman suddenly step on the accelerator in the last five overs sending the run-rate back above 8-an-over for the first time in what seems like an age.

Ten Doeschate will be glad that was his last over of the day - it was the most expensive so far - 15 runs from it.

2:26pm 15th over: More bowling changes, Seelaar bowled the last over now Dirk "Diggler" Nannes is back at the Nursery End.

Bazza - do you live near Lord's? I've just spotted a lone India flag fluttering on the balcony of one of the blocks of flats near here. Could it be an India fan, taunting their Pakistan rivals?

A good over from Nannes - more singles from it but Pakistan need more than that really.

2:24pm 14th over: New batsman Misbah-ul-Haq gets off the mark with a single to bring up 100 for Pakistan.

Misbah gets into the swing of things quickly, as Pakistan need him to - he finds and gap and plays the ball into it - four. Intelligent batting.

2:19pm 13th over: Neat and tidy again from Borren, Pakistan restricted to ones and twos... before Malik gets desperate...

He gives it the big heave but falls well short of the boundary this time:

Pakistan 99-3 - Malik c. Seelaar b. Borren - 30

2:15pm 12th over: An entire Dutch team "nicknamed" by Bazza on the email now - most of them groan-inducing. Darron "Reeks" Reekers? Really...

Some work on the pronunciations needed too I think: Ten Doeschate is "Ten" "Doh" "Sha" "Ter" - so "Machete" doesn't really work. D+ must try harder.

Meanwhile, back on the pitch, with rain clouds looming ominously in the distance, the Netherlands tighten things up nicely to bring down the run-rate - below 8-an-over again now.

2:12pm 11th over: More chopping and changing on the bowling as Borren is back at the Nursery End. Captain, Younis Khan is the new batsman.

Decent over from Borren.

2:08pm 10th over: Wicket! Slow bowler Seelaar gets the breakthrough, Akmal gone going for the big hit again but mistiming it this time:

Pakistan 81-2 - Akmal c. Schiferli b. Seelaar - 41

2:04pm 9th over: Ten Doeschate is back again and a sharp catching chance is dropped early in the over. Can he get another wicket for Holland?

That won't help Ten Doeschate's bowling figures: Akaml whacks him for six over yet another leaping fielder - they're certainly taking chances the Pakistan batsmen - but then, they have to.

Your emails - a poor first effort in our nickname competition (sorry Bazza): "With a name like dirk nannes who needs a moniker! Dirk nannes reminds me of "boogie nights". I wonder if Dirk nannes thinks that himself?"

Given his nickname is "Diggler" I'd say that link has already been made Bazza. Come on people, I'm sure you can do better - don't let Bazza hog the limelight (and my inbox!) to himself!

2:00pm 8th over: Peter and Pieter are the bowling attack again for Holland as Peter Borren comes on to bowl.

A big hit from Akmal is up... up... and just over the leaping fielder on the rope. Six! There was some serious breath holding for a moment then...

Four more from Akmal makes that the most expensive over of the match so far - 13 runs from it.

1:58pm 7th over: Another bowling change, Pieter Seelaar the slow left-armer joins the attack - immediately frustrating the Pakistan batsmen with dot balls.

Just four runs from the over.

1:54pm 6th over: Just ones and twos from the over - a good one from Schiferli.

Your emails - Bazza is back again, with a little jibe at the Dutch: "Wonder what's the link between Holland bowler "Schiferli" and "Schiperli airport in Amsterdam"? Does he live close to to the airport?"

I think you'll find that's Schiphol in Amsterdam Bazza. Still, that reminds me:

Some of these chaps are a typo waiting to happen. Help us create a cunning new moniker for one of the players (squad list on the right). Live@Lords.org – the prize for the best one? Eternal youth as your name lives on in Lords.org history.

1:46pm 5th over: Ryan ten Doeschate replaces Nannes at the Nursery End.

First ball and big lofting hit from Akmal drops agonisingly out of reach of the retreating Peter Borren.

Out! Butt is gone, drilling a catch straight at Borren this time.

Pakistan 38-1 - Butt c. Borren b. Ten Doeschate - 18

Ten Doeschate does the trick for the Netherlands again - Borren making no mistake at mid-on.

Malik starts the way he means to go on, with a smart clip shot off his pads for four, from the first ball he faced.

He's done it again, two balls later, picking a hole in the Dutch fielders and placing the ball smartly into the gap, minimal backlift, just a strong push shot really - good batting.

1:42pm 4th over: Pow - first six of the day and Salman Butt does it from the first ball of the over - blasting Schiferli into the massed Holland fans in the Tavern Stand square of the wicket.

Four more for Butt, straight down the Ground this time as he starts to look more and more dangerous as he settles in.

1:39pm 3rd over: Butt continues this third over in the same vein, starting with a four from the first ball.

Your emails - Bazza maths may be better than mine – he says: "I have been informed of the following key information: Pakistan, in order to progress, will have to either restrict Holland to 75 percent of their total or reach their victory target within 16 overs!".

The team here in the Investec Media Centre reckon a win of 25 runs or more will do the trick for Pakistan. Now, if we have a rain delay it will send calculators into overdrive...

Meanwhile, a scurried single by Butt causes Van Bunge to nearly take Nannes's head off with a shy at the stumps! Good over by the quick bowler though.

1:34pm 2nd over: Edgar Schiferli will open the bowling from the Pavilion End.

There's the first four of the day - Akaml hooking Schiferli to within a few inches of the rope. Great shot.

Four more for Akmal, as they punish a loose opening over from Schiferli.

1:29pm 1st over: Speed-demon Dirk Nannes will open the bowling for the Netherlands. Butt and Kamran Akmal the Pakistan batsmen with the latter on strike first.

1st ball and Nannes has it seaming away as Akmal plays and misses... oooh.

Three dot balls now for Nannes and it's the Dutch fans making the most noise now! The first runs but only two of them, a brilliant full-stretch stop by Van Bunge preventing a four.

Five from the over, all from Akmal and every run met with wild cheers from the Pakistan fans.

1:26pm Bazza also asked about the exact maths of how much Pakistan must win by th ensure they progress. Honestly Bazza, I'm not 100% sure. A quick scribble on a piece of paper tells me a win by around 30-runs should be enough. That'll mean they have to set about this Dutch attack from the very start - it could be a thriller!

National anthems are met with raucous cheering from the Holland and Pakistan fans respectively.

Breaking news India's Virender Sehwag has been sent home with a shoulder injury - a blow for India, if not the tournament, to lose his big-hitting.

1:23pm Ah, speaking of support, friend of Lords.org (and India fan!) Bazza is the first on the email today:

Your emails - "I predict a comprehensive Pakistan win. Holland have had their share of limelight with that "total cricket" performance. Tip: Afridi to go hammer and tongs and sohail tanvir to get 4 wickets!"

The extremely noisy Pakistan fans (who roar their team onto the field) will hope you're right Bazza. Surely, as an India fan, there's a part of you that wants them to lose today? Or would you rather knock them out yourselves at the Super-8 stage?

1:20pm Ten minutes to go...

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1:05pm Team news: Netherlands are, unsurprisingly, unchanged from the team which beat England here at Lord's on Friday.

Pakistan make two changes: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Aamer and Sohail Tanvir.

1:03pm Toss news Pakistan win the toss (or at least I assume they did by the reaction from the Pakistan fans in the crowd who went crazy) I can hardly hear a thing when they start cheering!

Pakistan win the toss and decide to bat.

1:00pm Remember, Lords.org reports to you live from the Investec Media Centre - you'll get all the latest news as it happens.

At the moment the outfield is a flurry of activity. The Netherlands players are warming up with fielding drills - taking time off to wave to the massed "Oranje" fans.

No sign of most of the Pakistan squad, though Mohammad Aamir is pacing out a run-up.

12:31pm Tick-tock... one hour until the start of the match. Nervous? There are hundreds of fans already milling around Lord's - the Pakistan fans look decidely nervous. The Netherlands fans look like they've already won the lottery!

11:51am Wow - following it online with Lords.org already? You must be a nervous Pakistan fan... or a Netherlands fan still on a high after beating England on Friday.

Send us your emails - Live@Lords.org:

Pakistan fans, can you do it? My (terrible) maths tells me you need a convincing win (about 49-runs) to make it to the Super-8 stage.

Netherlands fans, it's another "nothing to lose" match for your team. No-one expects you win but then no-one expected you to win on Friday! Can you seal a place in the Super-8s? How do you play it? All out to win? Or cagey, knowing only a thrashing can KO you now?