BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Kevin Pietersen’s unbeaten 70 led England past defending champion Pakistan by six wickets in the first match of the World Twenty20 Super Eights at Kensington Oval on Thursday.
Pietersen hit the winning run with three balls to spare. His 52-ball innings included seven boundaries and two sixes.
England posted 148-4, chasing down Pakistan’s 147-9.
Earlier, Pakistan’s opener Salman Butt topscored with 34 off 26 balls as Pakistan posted 147-9 off 20 overs against England.
Left-hander Butt struck three fours and a six to provide Pakistan with a solid start.
But England hit back in mid-innings as left-arm spinner Michael Yardy (2-19) and pacers Stuart Broad (2-25) and Ryan Sidebottom (2-28) claimed crucial breakthroughs.
Pakistan, sent in, received a sound platform from Butt and Kamran Akmal, who shared 31 before Broad made the first breakthrough.
Akmal, who compiled 15 off 18 balls, deflected a bouncer to wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.
Butt shared another assured stand of 41 with Mohammad Hafeez (18) before the innings lost momentum as England fought back.
Offspinner Graeme Swann claimed Butt, who drove straight to extra cover at 71-2.
Yardy removed Hafeez and captain Shahid Afridi was run out next ball to leave Pakistan 76-4.
Umar Akmal bolstered the innings with 30 off 25 balls but no one else passed 13.
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