Feb 16, 2012

Alastair Cook became the first England captain to score successive one-day international centuries as his team beat Pakistan by 20 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Cook was dropped early on with 28 on the board but played superbly in calm fashion with 10 fours in 102 from 121 balls as England moved 2-0 up in the four-match series.

Ravi Bopara, Cook's Essex team mate also added 58 in England's 250-4 after Cook again elected to bat first.

The 27-year-old left-hander offered further proof that a genuine opener playing authentic strokes can succeed in limited-overs matches and was able to score at a good pace on a sluggish surface.

England accumulated 38 without loss in the batting powerplay, so often an area of dramatic failure, a stylish drive to the cover boundary from Bopara bringing up the fifty partnership from 60 balls.

After Monday's victory, Cook and Bopara both shone for England once again cementing their place further in the England squads.