Winning the priority for Cook

Cook added 102 to his career-best 137 two days ago as the tourists hunted as a pack to beat Pakistan by 20 runs and go 2-0 up with two to play. Cook again underpinned England and again had Ravi Bopara (58) for support, in a total of 250 for four before a fine bowling from Steven Finn (four for 34) pegged Pakistan to 230 all out in 49 overs.

"To score two hundreds in a row doesn't happen very often in any form of cricket," said Cook. "Obviously I'm delighted and, with a little bit of luck along the way, thankfully I made it count. But you're not quite so bothered about your own batting as captain, because you're thinking about the team."

Most rewarding for him was that England followed up Monday's victory, also at the Zayed Stadium, to put themselves on course for a series victory which will make up in small part for their Test whitewash here against Pakistan.

"We've been saying all along you don't become bad players overnight, so it's important when you do get a little bit of a run you cash in," he said.

"I'm delighted I managed to do that. I thought the way we handled the pressure as a side - with (Shahid) Afridi in, they were in the game because seven-an-over is nothing - held our nerve and stayed calm was a big difference from what we have done.

"Everyone contributed to a really good team performance, a really good win. Everyone can go home and feel they've contributed to an England win."

Opener Mohammad Hafeez was among a clutch of Pakistani batsmen who got started but could not go on to play a match-winning hand. He gave due credit to Cook and Finn, in particular, but still believes Misbah-ul-Haq's team can fight back to share the series in Dubai.

"We wanted to come hard in these one-dayers as well," he said. "But England have played very good cricket - especially Alastair Cook, who has been very solid.

"I personally still think we can come back, because we believe in our team and have many match-winners in our side."