DUBAI: Swashbuckling England batsman Kevin Pietersen hailed his century on Tuesday as his best in one-day cricket, saying his hard work with spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed helped him overcome batting blues.
The 31-year-old hit a match-winning 130 to steer England to a four-wicket win after being set a 239-run target by Pakistan, giving his team a 4-0 clean sweep of the series.
Pietersen’s knock was a total contrast from his tally of 67 during the 3-0 rout in the preceding three-Tests during which he struggled against Pakistan’s spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.
But since his transfer to Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils for this year’s tournament was announced in January, Pietersen has hit back-to-back hundreds in England’s wins.
Pietersen termed this week’s as his best, surpassing his previous highest one-day score of 116 made against South Africa at Centurion in 2005.
“I am allowed to say it was probably the best one I’ve played,” Pietersen said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, former players rallied round Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq on Wednesday despite his side’s woeful showing in the 4-0 one-day series mauling by England.
The sudden slump in form prompted former captain Imran Khan to bemoan a lack of depth in Pakistan’s squad.
“England lifted itself after the Test defeat while Pakistan failed to carry on the good work,” Khan told reporters. “We lacked depth in bowling and batting and that helped England win all the matches.”
But the legendary all-rounder backed captain Misbah-ul Haq to continue as skipper in the short form of the game, having already led a remarkable revival of the Test side. (Agencies)
