Pietersen shines as England ease home

KEVIN Pietersen hit form as England began their ICC World Twenty20 Super Eight campaign by storming to a six-wicket win over Pakistan at Kensington Oval yesterday.

The champions' 147 for nine looked under-par on a pitch of decent pace, after England captain Paul Collingwood had won his first toss of the tournament – and so it proved.

The only worry for England came when Pietersen (70 not out) pulled up with an apparent injury to his lower left leg. But he was able to continue his innings, and England supporters could be placated by the fact it was at least not the same leg on which Pietersen had Achilles surgery last year.

Collingwood's team did not particularly need any extra help on their way to victory. But Saeed Ajmal provided plenty of assistance with a nightmare few minutes at mid-off and mid-on, where he twice dropped Craig Kieswetter – the first a straightforward chance on nought – and then put down Michael Lumb for good measure.

The left-hander was able to make only two more runs, before Ajmal clawed back a little ground by turning one past the outside edge to have Lumb stumped, and his opening partner went for the same score of 25 when Umar Akmal held on to a nasty skier.

Pietersen survived a sharp return chance on 21, when Abdul Razzaq could not cling on. But England were already well on course by the time Pietersen just got enough on a big drive at Ajmal on 34 to count six over the head of the parrying Fawad Alam, and it soon became a matter of time and statistical detail before the match was won.

Pietersen's share turned out to be eight fours and two sixes from 52 balls, as he dominated a third-wicket stand of 60 with Collingwood – reaching his 50 with a towering six over long-off from the bowling of Shahid Afridi and helping England finish the job with three balls to spare.

No Pakistan batsman had been able to make more than opener Salman Butt's 34, as England shared out the wickets – with left-arm spinner Michael Yardy once again the pick of the bowlers, getting through his four overs for just 19 runs.

Pietersen said afterwards: "The ankle is fine. When you win you don't worry about injuries."

Collingwood added: "I think we can improve on that performance – but we are delighted to get the win."