Top 5 knocks by Alastair Cook

#4 137 vs Pakistan – Abu Dhabi (2012)

Cook might not be remembered for his limited-overs game. But he still had decent numbers as he scored over 3000 runs and also struck 5 centuries.

This 137 against Pakistan in 2012 in Abu Dhabi was perhaps his best ODI knock. It was the first of the five ODIs and England were coming on the back of a 0-3 Test series whitewash. They needed something special to lift them and skipper Alastair Cook led from the front and scored an excellent 137.

In a game, when only two batsmen from either side crossed the 30-run mark, Cook displayed supreme concentration and shut his critics with a superb ton. And this came against a top quality Pakistan attack (which had the likes of Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz). He was out in the middle for more than 46 overs as he faced 142 deliveries and scored more than 50% of England’s runs.

His ton set-up the win for the visitors and it set the tone for the rest of the ODI series.