Cricket:Kevin Pietersen's second successive one-day international hundred carried England to a four-wicket victory, and 4-0 series whitewash of Pakistan in Dubai today.
Pietersen (130), without an ODI century for more than three years before his unbeaten 111 three days ago, repeated the dose for a career-best in another run chase under lights.
The outcome was in doubt for much longer this time, after a rare failure from Alastair Cook immediately put England’s pursuit of 237 all out on the back foot. But Pietersen appeared in control throughout in a 153-ball innings, which contained 12 fours and two sixes, as England got the job done with four balls to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
He established a scoring rate that kept England ahead of the game, even from a precarious 68 for four after 16 overs, to the extent that Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter’s fifth-wicket stand of 109 did not have to feature undue risks against Pakistan’s spinners.
The whitewash, England’s first against Pakistan for 25 years, was compensation of sorts for the 3-0 Test series drubbing these opponents inflicted on them here this winter.
Shortly after the victory the International Cricket Council confirmed England had moved ahead of Pakistan in the world rankings
further satisfaction after Pietersen and Kieswetter had kept England on track following Jade Dernbach’s four wickets for 45 runs restricted the hosts to 237 despite a great start to their innings .