The Dutch have only three professional players in their ranks and their inexperience was exposed when they bottled up in the face of Pakistan's original target of 175 at Lord's yesterday.
The Dutch have only three professional players in their ranks and their inexperience was exposed when they bottled up in the face of Pakistan's original target of 175 at Lord's yesterday. In reality the Dutch just needed 151 to make the Super Eights due to their superior net run rate compared to Pakistan. But they lost by a massive 82-run margin.
Dutch skipper Jeroen Smits said he was proud of his team, who had pulled the rug under England's feet, last Friday to give the tournament a surprising start. "It was a privilege to be here but maybe we are better under lights," Smits said later.u00a0
Shahid Afridi was the main difference yesterday as he came up with a record-breaking spell (4-0-11-4) to decimate the Dutch. Afridi's were the fourth-best figures in the history of the tournament. Hence it was surprising that teammate Kamran Akmal, who made 41, was the Man-of-the-Match.
"The main difference was Afridi. He was really special and made life hard for us," Smits said.
Pakistan captain Younis Khan was all praise for his star all-rounder .
"If he can perform in one of the two areas u2013 bowling or batting u2013 am more than happy."
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