England booked their place in the second round Super Eights of the ICC World Twenty20 with a 48-run win over Pakistan at the Oval on Sunday.
The hosts, 48 hours after their shock four-wicket loss to the Netherlands, bounced back to record a win which, because their net run-rate was now superior to that of the Dutch, ensured their progress in the tournament.
Pakistan, finalists at the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa two years ago, now face a make or break Group B clash against the Netherlands at Lord’s today.
Kevin Pietersen came back from an Achilles injury to lead England to a total of 185 for five with 58 after missing Friday’s Dutch debacle at Lord’s.
“It was exactly what we needed,” England captain Paul Collingwood said. “I think we showed a lot of character. Friday night was a massive blow for us. We were under a lot of pressure to put in a good performance but this showed how much we wanted it.”
Collingwood, who said Pietersen had been passed fit on Sunday morning, added: “He was desperate to play and he made a huge impact.”
Asked how England could play so poorly against the Dutch and yet win so well against Pakistan, all-rounder Collingwood said: “I wish I knew the reasons, I’m still convinced Friday night was just meant to happen.”
Defeat left Pakistan needing a big win against the Dutch to go through to the Super Eights and Younus said: “We must win against them and the onus lies on the senior guys like Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik and myself.”
But Younus Khan refused to get too downhearted about the possibility of Pakistan making an early exit from the tournament.
“It will be sad if we don’t make it to the Super Eights but it won’t be a disaster,” he said. “Twenty20 cricket is fun cricket. It’s more for entertainment even if it is international cricket.”
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