Alastair Cook felt England finally played to their potential in the UAE in the opening one-dayer of the series with Pakistan.
Misbah praises his opposite number, raises concerns over batting
Alastair Cook was left to reflect on a "really good day" for England after they made a winning start to the ODI series against Pakistan.
The tourists bounced back from being swept in the three Tests with a crushing 130-run triumph in Abu Dhabi, Cook leading the way with a superb century.
The left-handed opener hit a career-best 137 - his third ton in 50-over cricket for his country - to help his side make a competitive 260-7 from their 50 overs, even though spinner Saeed Ajmal took 5-43.
Steve Finn then made sure Pakistan got nowhere near in reply with a four-wicket blitz up front, with the hosts eventually being bowled out for 130.
"It was a really good day," said Cook. "We got a really good score on the board, then Steven Finn and the bowlers made it really hard for Pakistan.
"It's been a hard tour, it's been frustrating. We haven't played up to our potential but today showed what good players we have in our team.
"It's only the first game but it's a good start."
Format change
Asked what had made the difference after such a disappointing showing in the Test series, Cook replied: "I don't know, it's a different format. The pressure of men around the bat is gone.
"It's nice that it's gone well. It's always good to start well as a side and an individual."
Cook gave special credit to the role Ravi Bopara played in a rare England start for his Essex team-mate.
"I thought the way Ravi played, handled the pressure, when we lost those two quick wickets was a real key moment - because if we'd lost another couple of wickets it would have been 'here we go again'.
"The way he stood up, I thought, was fantastic - soaked up the pressure and then accelerated nicely.
"He hadn't played a game since October. You can have as many nets as you want, but there's nothing like the middle. That was a really big knock for Ravi, and I hope he can build on that and play some really important innings for us - because we know how talented he is."
Close
Cook added that the fitness of seamer Tim Bresnan and uncapped batsman Jos Buttler remains in doubt but he seemed upbeat about the former's prospects.
Bresnan was back for last week's warm-up match against the Lions after an elbow injury, but was then a surprise absentee on Monday morning when England instead recalled James Anderson.
"Bresy was close, probably fit as such, but match fit is a slightly different thing to be game ready, and I thought our three seamers were excellent," said Cook.
"It's hard when you've been injured and haven't played games for a while just to come back in against a very good Pakistan side.
"We thought that was probably just a bit too much to ask."
Buttler, meanwhile, split the webbing in his left hand last week, on the day England named their ODI squad.
Cook said of the 21-year-old's injury: "It's healing, slowly.
"It's a big cut on his webbing. He's batting again, but it is a risk in the field if you get a blow like that and it cuts open again.
"We'll keep looking at it."
Pakistan praise
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was quick to praise England, and Cook in particular, though he felt 261 was a target his team could chase down.
"They played wonderful cricket," he said. "Their captain led the team by example. His innings was the key for them.
"Our batting is a matter of concern for us - 260 wasn't a big score here. Batting under lights is difficult here but I think we have to do a bit of disciplined batting against the new ball.
"It is a little bit difficult with the new ball but otherwise the wicket played very good.
"It was just a bad day, one bad performance. We'll come back, do the basics right and let's see. It's really important for us to come back."
The two teams meet in the second of four matches at the same venue on Wednesday before the series then moves to Dubai.
