Centurion Pietersen puts team first

Kevin Pietersen's first one-day international hundred since 2008 is a personal triumph - but means less to him than England's series victory over Pakistan.

Pietersen's unbeaten 111, his first century since he made exactly the same score in Cuttack during his short tenure as captain, helped to carry England to victory by nine wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

"To win for England is the most important," he said. "We're 3-0 up as well," he said. "So it's a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant result for the lads."

Pietersen also shared an opening stand of 170 with Alastair Cook (80), as England made short work - just 37.2 overs' worth - of passing 222 all out to go 3-0 up with one match still to play.

He added: "For an England to come out here, where we don't generally win one-day cricket - we got hammered in India - it is not very easy for us.

"For us to sit here 3-0 up in a four-match series is amazing. The boys are so happy in the dressing room."

As for the significance of his eighth ODI century, after such a long wait, he added: "I don't think I have to prove points. I don't need to do that. I just want to enjoy my career.

"I understand criticism. If I'm not playing well, criticise me - I don't mind.

"I've got very thick skin.

"I didn't know it was three-and-a-half years [since my last hundred], but it was a long time ago."