Collingwood celebrates England's do-or-die win.

Byline: RICHARD GIBSON

Daily Post Corrrespondent CAPTAIN Paul Collingwood toasted England's complete performance in their do-or-die match against Pakistan in the World Twenty20.

Collingwood's team responded to their shock loss to minnows Holland by thrashing the Pakistanis by 48 runs at The Oval, to book their place in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

Kevin Pietersen passed a fitness test on his troublesome Achilles to crash 58 while Luke Wright's rapid 34 off just 16 deliveries set the platform for a challenging score of 185 for five.

Three wickets inside the powerplay period then averted any chance of Younus Khan's team eliminating England from their own competition.

"I am still convinced Friday night was meant to happen and what we needed to do we went out and did here," said Collingwood.

"We got it 100% right.

"That performance is what we needed. We showed a lot of character tonight.

"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." Pietersen was plunged into the Group B encounter after getting the all clear earlier in the day - although Collingwood insisted no chances would be taken with their star batsman in an Ashes summer.

"He ticked all the boxes and was desperate to play," said Collingwood.

"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." England made three changes to the side downed by the Dutch, although the option of fielding twin spinners Graeme Swann and Adil Rashid was only plumped for after watching South Africa destroy Scotland earlier in the day.

They operated effectively together in mid-innings as the required run rate rocketed.

Pakistan captain Younus topscored with an unbeaten 46 and later rued the shoddy first-innings display.

"I think 160 was chaseable," he said. "The big worry for us at the moment is fielding, we have missed chances and run-outs, which probably gave them 20-25 runs.

"Maybe our guys are not fielding well because they are under pressure.

"Everybody in the world is talking about our fielding - but we are always like that in international cricket." Pakistan must now inflict a heavy defeat on Holland to join England in the latter stages, and are bound to shake up their side.

"We will have to do it because if we don't we will be out of the competition," said Younus, of the need for a big win. "Hopefully the senior guys will come forward and do a job for our team. It's the only chance we have." However, he attempted to retain Twenty20's original spirit in reflecting on his side's immediate future.

"It's international cricket but it is only a fun game," he said.

"It will be sad for us if we are not in the Super Eights but it's not a disaster. Twenty20 cricket is all about entertaining the crowd; it's all about fun." FIXTURES: TODAY (11.00 unless stated): ICC World Twenty20 2009 Group A (1 day): Trent Bridge: Bangladesh v Ireland (13.30). ICC World Twenty20 2009 Group C (1 day): Trent Bridge: Australia v Sri Lanka (17.30). LV County Championship Division One (day 3 of 4): Riverside: Durham v Hampshire. Old Trafford: Lancashire v Somerset.

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Nottinghamshire. Headingley Carnegie: Yorkshire v Sussex. LV County Championship Division Two (day 3 of 4): Chesterfield: Derbyshire v Gloucestershire. Chelmsford: Essex v Middlesex. The SWALEC Stadium: Glamorgan v Surrey. Grace Road: Leicestershire v Kent. Twenty20 Match (1 day): Taunton Vale CC: Australia Women v India Women (16.00). Kings College: New Zealand Women v England Women (12.00). Taunton Vale CC: South Africa Women v Sri Lanka Women (12.00).

Kings College: West Indies Women v Pakistan Women (16.

00)..People put their hands up and all 11 can be very proud of themselves PAUL COLLINGWOOD

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England's Graeme Swann celebrates with captain Paul Collingwood after dismissing Pakistan's Shahid Afridi Picture: GARETH