Bangladesh v England, 1st ODI, Dhaka

England 229 for 4 (Collingwood 75*, Cook 64) beat Bangladesh 228 (Tamim 125, Swann 3-32) by six wickets

As the most improved team in world cricket, Bangladesh may have fancied forcing an upset against a sub-strength England side captained by Alastair Cook, whose inability to whack the ball out of park has left him as an inconsistent pick in England's opening pair in the one-day game. Alas it was not to be!

Cook called correctly and put Bangladesh into bat, and for 9.2 overs it seemed Cook's first decision as captain had been a poor one. And with Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, implying that the pitch would remain low throughout, the visitors seemed to a have a real scrap on their hands. Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes put on 63 for the first wicket, Tamim showing real intent smashing seven fours and two humongous sixes off Ryan Sidebottom and then Stuart Broad, before Bresnan delivered a wily slower ball that found the wrong edge of Kayes's bat and was gratefully caught at mid on by Luke Wright.

Tamim continued to manipulate the English attack but two wickets from Broad in successive overs kept England right in it. Junaid Siddique gave his wicket away as Broad threw down some leg-side filth only for the Bangladeshi number three to mistime a shot straight to debutant Keiswetter at square leg. Aftab Ahmed was next to depart thanks to some stellar work from Pietersen, picking the ball up at mid on and sending the ball underarm into the stumps. His fielding has really become an integral part of his game, only two matches ago he produced a fine pick up and throw down to run out Imran Farhat and this is the man who could not catch for love or money in the Ashes winning summer of 2005. Newcomers to the game would have no idea that KP ever struggled with a part of the game that he now seems excel in. Bravo!

Nostalgia aside, Bangladesh continued in the same vain throughout the 'middle overs'. Tamim putting aside the failings of his fellow team mates, remaining impervious at the crease. Hasan provided brief company at the other end only to walk past a ripper from the 'Chin' Graeme Swann, whilst Mushfiqur Rahim was slightly more effective partnering Tamim for a full ten overs only to be run out in an embarrassing fiasco of miscommunication, a moment worthy of Owais Shah's scrapbook!

At 146 for 5 Bangladesh were in danger of falling well short of a competitive total and it did not get any better as 146 for 5 became 146 for 6, Swann finding more turn on a responsive surface and England profiting from another leading edge gobbled up at midwicket. However 63 from from ten and a half overs saw the hosts build a healthy platform for the crucial final ten, and Tamim well set they looked set for a sizeable total. England's seamers though kept plugging away and when Tamim went for a gutsy 125 the innings collapsed.

The tenth wicket of Abdur Razzaq lobbed tamely to captain Cook at mid-off, off the bowling of Sidebottom put the innings in perspective. It was a shame Tamim was never given the support he deserved, and his 125 was a rare moment of quality in an error-filled and an unintelligent batting effort from the home side. Swann maintained his fantastic form, tweaking out 3 victims for a mere 32 in his ten overs, whilst the pace attack shared five between them, their figures flattered by some wasteful batting, no seamer really showing the lethal touch that was required.

Having crumbled late on Bangladesh failed to bat out the 50 overs and finished 228 all out in 45.4 overs. All Cooks' men had to do was bat sensibly and victory would be assured. A straightforward task - Surely?

The 'Fortress' stands tall once again for England in their successful run chase

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England began timidly and were punished early on, Craig Keiswetter walking past one from Islam, and cleared up by Rahim behind the stumps, whilst Pietersen continued his poor form edging low to slip, and the 'captain Cook' was trapped unfortunately LBW also by the guile of Islam. Yet even with three premier scalps in under 20 overs, the Bangladeshi total still looked well within England's grasp.

And it was under the sturdy hand of 'the fortress' (my own nickname for the great man) Paul Collingwood that England cruised home to a six-wicket victory, and Bangladesh were unable to complete their first ever victory over the visitors. Colly played a mature innings amassing 75 not out from 100 balls, with 7 ugly, but important boundaries - his calmness and professionalism, much like Tamim only hours before, shone out in an shaky England batting and bowling performance that would have not likely held up against stronger opposition.

Tamim rightly took the man of the match award, but it came as little consolation as Bangladesh failed to capitalise on his stellar work. England's first victory under Alastair Cook resulted in a typically Cook-esque game - devoid of consistency and flair, but instead just doing enough to cross the line.

England v Pakistan, 2nd Twenty20, Dubai.

Pakistan 149 for 6 (Razzaq 46*, Swann 3-14) beat England 148 for 6 (Pietersen 62) v Pakistan

What a difference 24 hours can make! After an ultimately one-sided affair in the first match Abdul Razzaq rolled back the years to produce a devastating cameo of six-hitting to square the series.

Pakistan again won the toss and put England in to bat. Paul Collingwood announced one change, the impressive Ryan Sidebottom forced to sit out due to a thigh strain, making way for Yorkshire paceman Ajmal Shahzad, whilst the big news for Pakistan was the return of 'Boom Boom' Afridi, who still proves to be a menace both with bat, ball, and mouth of late.

There may have been a fresh look to both teams as the England openers strode out in Dubai, but young Joe Denly's career as a limited overs opening batsman seemed to continue in rather woeful fashion. Arafat getting one to nip back between bat and pad and clattering the stumps to give Pakistan a much deserved breakthrough. Jonathan Trott seemed equally hesitant at the crease managing only 3 fours in his 51-ball 39, fortunately Kevin Pietersen picked up where heleft off the day before, taking Saeed Ajmal to the sword with a particularly brilliant straight drive down the wicket for six big ones.

Pietersen continued to look impervious, guiding two fours off Afridi, only to go bigger in his following over, ensuring that those in the high-rise hospitality suite were aware of his intentions. The tragedy of the innings ultimately came in his inability to really kick-on. And when attempting a sweep he was struck plumb on the back leg by Ajmal England really struggled to maintain the momentum KP had injected.

Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and Collingwood amassed a six each but failed to make a sizable contribution, and crucially to form any sort of partnership. Tim Bresnan was even sent in for some last over pinch hitting, but when he hauled out to Imran Nazir at long off first ball, you couldn't help but think that England had missed a chance to post something really challenging. Instead they stuttered to 148 for 6 when 160 plus looked attainable with five overs remaining.

Pakistan's victory in the second match meant the series was drawn 1-1 and the trophy shared

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Invigorated from their fightback with the ball, Pakistan returned to the field confident of knocking off the runs required, early signs however looked quite to the contrary as debutante Shahzad struck twice in his first over. First back in the changing room was Nazir, charging Shahzad third ball only to top edge to a grateful Bresnan at third man. Two balls later Imran Farhat had a rush of blood to the head attempting a pull off Shazhad only for the ball to be gobbled up by Stuart Broad at mid on.

At 4 for 2 Pakistan may have felt that they had missed a trick, unable to capitalise on their fine finish to England's innings. Luckily Umar Akmal showed maturity beyond his years playing a sensible innings manoeuvring the ball around and feeding off anything too short or wide. Shoaib Malik gave Akmal worthy assistance until he was undone by some sharp work from Matt Prior off the bowling of Graeme Swann, Malik's foot appearing to be marginally lifted as the bails were removed. Although if this was an indication to an improvement in Prior's glove-work he did his cause no good in Swann's next over seemingly dropping Akmal attempting a cut off a quicker ball.

Swann was not perturbed, and in his two final overs picked up the vital scalps of Afridi and the well set Akmal, finishing with stunning figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 3 for 14, truly a class act!

Swann's heroics were unfortunately a rare gem in some lacklustre performances from England's attack. Collingwood and Luke Wright the two part timers have a particularly hard time conceding 41 runs between them, failing to effectively stem the flow of runs. Such waywardness could almost be forgiven however, when considering that which stood imperiously at the other end.

With the hype around Afridi's return many had forgotten the cruel lessons Abdul Razzaq has taught bowlers over the years about bowling at the tail end an innings. After taking a viscous swipe at his first ball the 30 year old man from Lahore hit consecutive sixes off the England captain to set up a tight finish. Razzaq though was in no mood to hang around, and it was not long before Luke Wright saw the ball fly straight back over his head for Razzaq's third six of the innings.

Shahzad who had started so brightly was left with bitter memories of his first Twenty20 international, as Razzaq capped his magisterial innings with two thumping sixes to seal a 4 wicket win with an over to spare.

And with that final flail of the willow the series was over. All credit must go to Pakistan after they battled back admirably after a distinctly average first match. Razzaq was the star but Akmal played his part, and following the departure of Pietersen the Pakistani bowlers did well to keep the target within reach. Only time will tell how this brief contest will effect the progression of both these teams. For England, a resounding victory in the first match will give them great confidence in a form of the game they have yet to excel in. Equally Pakistan, although current holders of the Twenty20 World Cup, will be buoyed by their gutsy comeback in this match after looking dead and buried only a day ago.

England v Pakistan, 1st Twenty20, Dubai.

England 130 for 3 (Morgan 67*, Pietersen 43*) beat Pakistan 129 for 8 (Malik 33) by seven wickets

England began their journey towards the Twenty20 World Cup in rather inauspicious circumstances at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both teams came into the game following rather uninspiring build-ups, England who suffered a last ball defeat to the Lions courtesy of the ever-improving Craig Kieswetter, and Pakistan with only six players remaining from their triumphant Twenty20 World Cup campaign, hampered by the suspension of Shahid Afridi.

On a flat looking track Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Unfortunately for Malik's men the pitch offered much more than initial omens suggested and Pakistan's top four faulted. After some tight, probing work from Ryan Sidebottom and Tim Bresnan, Imran Nazir finally hauled out to Joe Denly at deep square-leg after a trio of short pitched deliveries from a freshly shaven Stuart Broad. Some sharp work from the more rugged Kevin Pietersen had Imran Farhat ran out shortly after as Pakistan continued to struggle to score.

Luke Wright piled on the misery as the decidedly edgy Khalid Latif edged behind to Matt Prior for only 4. Following a disastrous series in Australia with the gloves Kamran Akmal was forced to watch his brother Umar from the sidelines. And after a brief flurry of boundaries it took a wonderful catch from Broad to dislodge him, Graeme Swann's fine form transferring effortlessly into the shorter format.

Despite their slowest ever start to a Twenty20 International Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam put on 47 for the fifth wicket. Malik led from the front and began to rebuild, using his feet to Swann and smacking Wright for two consecutive fours. Swann returned for his second over only to produce another timely breakthrough, Malik departing for 33. Old hand replaced old hand as Abdul Razzaq maintained Pakistan's momentum, bludgeoning a Broad long hop for six. The Nottinghamshire paceman however soon found his length, Fawad undone by a well directed short ball managing to find the edge of the youngster's flailing willow.

England however regained full control as Pakistan struggled to set a competitive total. Sarfraz Ahmed's gorgeous slog-sweep was a rare moment of class amongst some decidedly average batting. Bresnan and Broad combining twice to prevent any real flourish in the final overs. Pakistan finally crept to 129 for 8, their batsmen never really able to stamp their authority on the game.

England's bowlers put in a great all-round performance to restrict Pakistan.

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Despite a below-par total, early breakthroughs by Abdul Razzaq and Yasir Arafat saw England slump to 18 for 3 in 4.2 overs, and for a brief moment the game was on again - but the moment was indeed very brief. Enter Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan. Off the back of a disappointing series in South Africa, KP was looking to let his hair down, whilst Morgan, whose all round performances have shown signs of brilliance over the past year, was out to cement his place in the conveyor-belt that is the England one day side.

A nine-ball over from Malik helped Pietersen to settle into his stride, and from there on in it was very comfortable for England. Umar Gul, dubbed the most economical bowler in international "T20" failed to live up to his reputation and struggled to find a workable length - even his viscous yorkers deceiving him at the vital moments. England soon strolled home thanks to wonderful trio of boundaries from Morgan, finishing the chase with a crunching six ten rows back.

It was a night for Pakistan to forget - their bowlers failed to take advantage of a pitch that offered some variable bounce, and their batsmen lacked the composure and maturity to set up a decent score. England on the other hand will take a lot from this victory - in particular the return to form of Pietersen, who will undoubtedly will be pivotal to England's success in the Caribbean this Spring.