Cook keeping his feet on the ground

Cook's limited-overs career-best 137 was followed by another personal high of four for 34 from fast bowler Steven Finn as England won only their second international match in 11 attempts on Monday, but the captain knows it will count for little if they fail to build on the 1-0 lead they have given themselves in a four-match one-day international series against Pakistan.

"It's only one game, so let's not get too carried away too much about everything," said Cook, who is already looking ahead to the second match of the series which continues on Wednesday, back at the Zayed Stadium.

"It was a really good performance, and we'll enjoy tonight and the feeling of winning the game and make sure we come back as a side on Wednesday.

"There's a sense of satisfaction at the moment. But when you lose, you try not to get too down, and when you win, especially with back-to-back games, it's important you look at areas again where we think we can improve."

England will doubtless see little need to change a side which has at last chalked up a victory, after a 5-0 ODI trouncing under Cook in India last autumn and then a 3-0 Test whitewash against Pakistan here. In any case, the fitness of seamer Tim Bresnan and uncapped batsman Jos Buttler remains in doubt.

Bresnan was back for last week's warm-up match against the Lions after an elbow injury, but was then a surprise absentee yesterday morning when England instead recalled James Anderson to their ODI plans.

"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."