Cook sizzles to help England beat Pakistan by 130 runs in opening ODI

Inspired by skipper Alastair Cook’s splendid century England trounced Pakistan by 130 runs to win the opening match of the four-match One-Day International Series at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Chasing England’s competitive total of 260, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals before being bowled out for 130 runs in 35 overs. Earlier, Cook scored a fine knock of 137, his third ODI hundred, and was involved in a 131-run stand with Ravi Bopara. However, England were restricted to 260 for 7 after Saeed Ajmal picked up quick wickets in the end to finish with 5 for 43. He dismissed Bopara (5), Eoin Morgan (2) and Craig Kieswetter (9) as well as centurion Cook (137) and Stuart Broad (1) leaving England at 232 for 7 after 47 overs. England won the toss and elected to bat at and their new opening pairing Cook and Kevin Pietersen (14) put on a 57- run partnership before Shahid Afridi picked up the wicket of the latter. Afridi dismissed Jonathan Trott (0) in the very next delivery and England were 57 for 2 in 12.5 overs. But captain Cook and two-down Bopara took up the challenge and steadied their innings and the pair crossed the 100 mark in the 23rd over. Soon after Cook realised a 131-stand with Bopara (50 off 69 balls with four fours), Ajmal dismissed him. He truck again to remove Morgan with  Cook batting on 118. Craig Kieswetter joined Cook but the wicket keeper could add only nine runs as he was brilliantly caught by Wahab Riaz off the bowling of Ajmal. He then ended opener Cook’s top score of 137 off 142 balls with 14 fours. He has now added the highest one-day score at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Stuart Broad returned soon to the pavilion with Samit Patel (17) and Graeme Swann (13) remaining unbeaten with a 28 run partnership at the end of the 50th over for the loss of seven wickets.                                           From gulftoday