ICC T20 World Cup 2010 Super-8 Stage - - Thanks to Blistering Knock by Pietersen; England Beat Pakistan Convincingly by 6 Wickets

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Kevin Pietersen eased England to a 6-wickets convincing victory over Pakistan in first match of the super-8 stage.

Earlier defending champions Pakistan made 147 for nine against England in the opening second round Super Eights match of the World Twenty20 at the Kensington Oval here on Thursday.

Pakistan, who were 71 for one, lost three wickets for six runs as they collapsed to 77 for four in the 11th over with captain and hard-hitting batsman Shahid Afridi run out first ball for nought.

They might have been in even worse trouble had not Umar Akmal been given a life on five when wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter missed a chance to stump him off left-arm spinner Michael Yardy, who still took an economical two wickets for nine runs from his maximum four overs.

Umar Akmal went on to make 30, off 25 balls, before he was well caught on the boundary by Kevin Pietersen, running round from long-on, off left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom.

England, who won the toss and fielded put the break on Pakistan's scoring rate until an expensive final over from seamer Tim Bresnan went for 15 runs, with tailender Saaed Ajmal striking a six over the wicketkeeper's head.


A second-wicket stand of 40 in five overs between opener Salman Butt, who top-scored with 34, and Mohammad Hafeez was ended when left-hander Butt drove off-spinner Graeme Swann hard but straight to England captain Paul Collingwood.

Hafeez followed soon afterwards for 18, taken by Stuart Broad at short third man off Yardy.

And next ball Afridi was run out after he pushed the ball straight to cover, set off for a non-existent single and was sent back before giving up as Kieswetter broke the stumps from Luke Wright's throw.

Pakistan made an ideal start with Kamran Akmal hooking the first ball, from Sidebottom, for six over long leg.

Butt was given a reprieve on 13 when he tried to guide Broad down to third man and was dropped by Kieswetter, who couldn't hold the difficult chance as he dived to his left.

But next ball Akmal was out for 15 after he top-edged a hook off Broad to give Kieswetter a much simpler catch.

England innings eased out by Pakistan poor fielding on the ground. Only Saeed Ajmal dropped three simple catches and Abdul Razzaq followed him by missing a crucial caught and bowled chance on his own bowling. He gave a new life to match winner, Kevin Pietersen, who ultimately took England to an easy victory.

English batsmen didn't miss the opportunity provided by sloppy fielding of the title defenders. The best among English batsmen was Kevin Pietersen; who was in superb touch and helped England catch up the target with 3 balls to spare. He made 70* run; while facing 52 balls.

For his brilliant winning knock; Kevin Pietersen declared man of the match. He was preferred over Michael Yardy; who earlier made life difficult for Pakistan batsmen and claimed two cheap wickets.

Pakistan will face black caps and England will take on South Africa on Saturday May 8, 2010 in the next Group E matches of the Super-8 Stage.