England captain Paul Collingwood praised the "brave" way the hosts kept themselves alive in the ICC World Twenty20 after a 48-run win over Pakistan here at the Oval.
The embarrassment of an early exit beckoned after a humiliating four-wicket loss to the Netherlands in Friday's tournament opener at Lord's.
But Kevin Pietersen, who missed the dramatic Dutch defeat with an Achilles injury, returned to make 58 in a total of 185 for five on Sunday before three wickets in the powerplay, with fast bowler Stuart Broad taking two in two balls, put paid to Pakistan's chase.
Indeed so convincing was England's victory that it guaranteed them a place in the second stage Super Eights regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's final Group B match between the Netherlands and Pakistan.
"That performance is what we needed," Collingwood told reporters. "We showed a lot of character.
"Friday was a massive blow to us, so it was fair to say we were under quite a lot of pressure to put in a performance like that.
"From ball one we proved how much we wanted it and had them under pressure.
"People put their hands up and all 11 can be very proud of themselves.
"They showed how brave they are as blokes. And I am now more excited than I was before the Netherlands game."
England still face a worrying time regarding Pietersen's fitness ahead of the start of the Ashes Test series in July and Collingwood said: "He ticked all the boxes and was desperate to play
"The medical staff had a good look at him and he is not going to be risked at all this summer, it's as simple as that."
Pietersen meanwhile was glad to be back on the field and the South Africa born batsman said: "It was a huge match.
"If we didn't win we were out and that is not nice.
"It was a huge evening - I was desperate to play, I've never had an injury that has kept me out which has been hard to deal with.
"I reckon I'm about 70 percent fit. Hopefully, that is the last of it now because I just love playing. I am happy to play with a bunch of boys who played like they did this evening."
Pietersen said he hoped the Dutch defeat would remain an aberration.
"That was a one off - we should never, ever have lost that game. It's not right to lose to the Netherlands."

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England captain Paul Collingwood praised the "brave" way the hosts kept themselves alive in the ICC World Twenty20 after a 48-run win over Pakistan

Collingwood salutes 'brave' England

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Collingwood salutes 'brave' England

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