Cook, Pietersen help England take complete command against Bangladesh

Chittagong (Bangladesh), Mar 12 : England skipper Alastair Cook scored an unbeaten century on his debut as Test captain and Kevin Pietersen hit 99 to help England reach an imposing 374-3 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

Cook scored 158 not out, his11th Test hundred, with the help of 14 boundaries and two sixes, while Pietersen answered his critics in style before being bowled by Abdur Razzak one short of a deserved century.

The duo shared a partnership of 170 for the third wicket.
 
With the help of this knock, Cook also beat Andrew Strauss' mark of 128, the previous best by an England captain in their maiden outing, The Independent reports.

A further half-century partnership between Cook and Paul Collingwood (32 not out) at the end simply rubbed salt into the Bangladesh wounds.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan elected to field after winning the toss.

England opener Michael Carberry, one of two debutants alongside Steven Finn, started off positively, but could not last the distance, as he scored 30 with the help of six boundaries.

Hasan used six bowlers in the innings, but all of them failed miserably and he was left to rue a poor decision to field first.

Rubel Hossain, Mahmudullah and Razzak were the successful bowlers, and claimed a wicket each.

Brief scoreboard:

England 374 for 3 (Cook 158 not out, Pietersen 99, Collingwood 32 not out)