Record partnership sees England beat world champions

Having been set 130 to win following a disciplined bowling performance, England were faltering in their chase and were 18-3 when Morgan joined Pietersen in the middle.

The pair took some time to bed in but Morgan ended the match in a flurry of boundaries, including two fours and a six off the first three balls of the 19th over.

He ended with a well-earned 67 not out from 61 balls, while the often flamboyant Pietersen played a more restrained hand to close on 43 not out.

England face the world champions again today and Morgan will be hoping for another chance to impress alongside a player he enjoys batting with.

"I like batting with Kev, with the ability and power the guy has," said the Dubliner. "The destruction capabilities are endless. I think we suit each other.

"One of us can sit in if the other is in form or fancies a particular bowler, so I enjoy batting with him.

"It was a difficult wicket to get in on, difficult to manipulate the ball, but, once we got in, we were able to force the occasion and put the pressure back on the Pakistani bowlers.

"But we were able to do that because of the short total we were set. It was a magnificent effort from the bowlers."

The pair's unbroken fourth-wicket stand is England's best partnership in the shortest format of the game but Morgan does not expect it to last.

"We haven't played that many Twenty20 games so hopefully the records will keep coming," he added.

England captain Paul Collingwood was delighted with Morgan's efforts but was particularly pleased with Pietersen's innings after an unusually lean time for the batsman in South Africa.

"It was an important innings," said Collingwood, who was run out for a duck.

"We were in a sticky situation, three down early doors, and really it was kind of an anchor role. He looked very composed out there, which is a great thing because he looked confident at the crease and struck the ball well."