With a frustrating group stage behind them, and more importantly not a rain-cloud in sight, normal service resumed chiefly thanks to Kevin Pietersen who clattered a 52-ball 72 not-out batting with the kind of authority and enterprise he is famed for.
England won the toss and having decided to bowl first were immediately forced onto the back-foot. Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez began brilliantly with the bat guiding Pakistan to 44 for 1 after the six Powerplay overs, and after England's spinners failed to make inroads it was the reigning champions who found themselves handily placed at 79 for 1 at the halfway stage. However momentum was short-lived as England's spinners swung the pendulum back in their favour with three key wickets in only eight deliveries, including Shahid Afridi who ran himself out for a first-call duck.
It became the turning point of the innings as The Green Machine went on to loose a further five wickets in the hope of posting a challenging total. The ever-promising Umar Akmal threatened with 30 from 25 balls before K.P took a brilliant catch only millimetres from the boundary edge to end his charge - a moment of inspiration that was to kick-start a triumphant day for Pietersen. Some shoddy work in the field from England meant Pakistan climbed from 120 for 7 to 147 for 9 in the final 2.4 overs, but it remained ultimately a disappointing total after an assured start, and Collingwood was no doubt the happier of the two captains at the break.
Chasing 148 to win Pakistan almost reigned England back in, and was it not for a plethora of schoolboy fielding it may it may have been a far nervier affair. Unfortunately it was Saeed Ajmal who bore much of the criticism, fumbling catches not once, not twice, but three times in the opening overs of England's innings. Twice he dropped Craig Kieswetter at mid-on and once Michael Lumb at mid-off. Salt was then shovelled into Ajmal's wounds as he watched the England openers boss their way to a stand of 44 in 5.4 overs. From there on in Pakistan struggled to find a cutting-edge, unable to put prolonged pressure on England's middle order.
Ajmal redeemed himself somewhat when he drew Lumb down the pitch to have him stumped on 25, and soon after Hafeez had Kieswetter caught for a less aggressive 25 by the more assured clasp of Umar Akmal. But crucially Afridi's boys failed to contain England's No. 3.
Having rode his luck early on it was a relief to all England fans to see Pietersen back to his relentless best. His timely assault on Afridi, Pakistan's failed aggressor, creaming two sixes on his way to a 37-ball half-century allowed the likes of Collingwood to work the ball into the gaps and watch from the non-striker's end as his towering team-mate made light work of a hapless all-round display in the field from their opponents.
A welcome return to form for Kevin Pietersen ensured
England's first victory of the tournament
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Pietersen remained unbeaten as England comfortably reached their target with the loss of only four wickets. Pakistan on the other hand may have been wondering what could have been after a late revival in their innings saw them post a total that was more-than-defendable. However a sloppy effort in the field cost them dearly and with England's most ferocious lion smelling blood Pakistan were always chasing the game.
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