Kevin Pietersen blazing century gives England Series victory

Tags: Pakistan v England 3rd ODI at Dubai - Feb 18, 2012, Pakistan vs England in UAE 2011-12, Kevin Peter Pietersen, Alastair Nathan Cook

Published on: Feb 18, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Match Highlights of Pakistan Vs England, 3rd ODI at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Feb 18), The Jazz Cup 2012

England cruised to a 9-wicket win with as many as 76 balls to spare to seal the 4-ODI Series 3-0 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Kevin Pietersen got back into form smashing an unbeaten 111 from just 98 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes to ease England to the big win in the Third One Day International. His fellow opener and Skipper Alastair Cook pounded 80 from 98 balls with 9 fours and a six. (Also read : England bowl out Pakistan to 222 in Third ODI)

This was Kevin Pietersen’s 8th ODI Century and the first since November 2008 for the 31-year-old! The early impetus to the run chase of 223 was provided by Alastair Cook while Kevin Pietersen took some time finding the gaps. Pakistan bowling at the start was terrible with Umar Gul bowling as many as four noballs and taking lots of stick.

Kevin PietersenThough spin was introduced early, England were already in a commanding position having knocked out a considerable portion of the total. Pakistan’s first breakthrough came only in the 29th over which could only stop Alastair Cook from a third consecutive ODI century against their bowling attack. Cook got out edging a turning off break from Saeed Ajmal to the Wicket Keeper to end what was a massive partnership of 170 with Pietersen!

The match was wrapped up in the 38th over itself with Eoin Morgan coming in at no.3 to score an unbeaten 24 (from 32 balls with 2 fours and a six) in a 56-run unbroken stand with Kevin Pietersen who got the Man of the Match award.

Earlier in the afternoon, excellent bowling efforts from fast bowlers Steven Finn and Stuart Broad, who took three wickets each helped England to bowl out Pakistan for 222 on what was a good batting pitch.

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