Cook to stay for Twenty20 series

Alastair Cook, a victorious captain in England's ODI series win against Pakistan, has confirmed that he will stay on the Twenty20 series.

Cook's reputation as a one-day player blossomed as England whitewashed Pakistan 4-0 and he narrowly failed to become the first England player to make three successive hundreds in one-day internationals.

He stays on because of Ravi Bopara has a stiff back and, even though he is officially only remaining with the squad as cover, England will be tempted to grab an opportunity to see if he can follow up his 50-over form by quashing the belief that he does not have the aptitude for T20 cricket.

"It is not often you get to hit the ball as well as I have done," said Cook, with a broad grin that told of his excitement that he might get a chance in an England Twenty20 team that will now be handed over as planned to Stuart Broad. "We have a couple of niggles in the batting line-up so it is a reason to stay on.

"It's been a great week and a half for us. We played some excellent cricket. Pakistan came here with an excellent record and everybody lived up to the challenge."