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International Cricket

England did their best to put cricket's week of crisis behind them as they returned to the T20 format with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan.

Captain Paul Collingwood was delighted with a "100%" performance which owed much to an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 67 between Eoin Morgan and Michael Yardy, to aid the recovery from a mid-innings wobble in reply to 126 for four at the SWALEC Stadium.

His opposite number Shahid Afridi could wear a smile too - because although his team were well beaten in the end, it was at least a step in the right direction for them after the stresses of the 'spot-fixing' controversy.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Collingwood.

"Our strategies seem to be working in the Twenty20 form of the game.

"It has been a tough week. But the guys focused 100% on their cricket, and we enjoyed our win.

"We got our teeth right into it. The bowlers were absolutely fantastic again. We had a little hiccup with the bat, but 'Morgs' and 'Yards' put together a superb partnership."

Paul Collingwood has expressed his delight that Kevin Pietersen is back in the runs following a first century for Surrey.

Pietersen was omitted from England's squads for two Twenty20 matches and a one-day series against Pakistan this month.

"I understand the bigger picture in terms of KP going away and getting into some form, and that's exactly what he's done," said Collingwood.

"He's already scored a hundred (for Surrey), so we are all delighted for him that he's gone away and scored those runs so far.

"I think with the big winter we've got coming up (in Australia), you understand these kind of decisions."

It is almost four months since England beat the world for the first time in an International Cricket Council tournament, with victory over Australia in the Barbados final.

They were up against significant, if perhaps still distracted, opponents in Pakistan - who have had to contend with the ICC suspension and charging of three of their initially-selected players following newspaper allegations of a plot to bowl no-balls to order in an attempt to defraud illegal bookmakers during the Lord's Test.

A follow-up report in the News of the World claims a fourth Pakistani - unnamed for "legal reasons" - is being investigated by the ICC's anti-corruption unit (ACSU) on suspicion of match-fixing.

In those circumstances, it was a relief perhaps for Pakistan to simply take the field again in an international fixture.

Afridi said: "At one time, it looked like we were going to win this game. But the way Morgan and Yardy played, they did very well."

Even so, Afridi believes his own team did themselves justice - especially after the disruptions of the past week.

"The way my boys played, I am very happy.

"We missed some opportunities, like catches and run-outs.

"So next time I hope we will avail these opportunities. In this kind of cricket, fielding is a main weapon if you want to win."

As for the latest allegations, Afridi was determined his team would not be put off their game.

"We have to play cricket. We don't take these things with us (on to the field).

"After what has been going on for a week or 10 days, it's been very difficult.

"But this is my job and the coach's job, to lift the morale and keep the guys in high spirits."

Collingwood's pleasure was simply at a task completed with little fuss.

"It's been a few months since some very fond memories and that success in the Caribbean.

"I didn't have to say anything. You just look at each other, and those smiles go on your faces.

"We've got great memories of that. But from a captain's point of view you've got to try to tell the guys to restart ... and we did it 100%."

Like Afridi, Collingwood simply asked his team to ignore the controversy and concentrate on their job.

"A lot has gone on this week in terms of strong decisions, and we just want the cricket to do the talking.

"I'm happy that the guys responded well to what has been a difficult week.

"We just want to get on with the cricket ... that can do the talking now."