England beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the first of two Twenty20 clashes in Dubai thanks to a record partnership between the hard-hitting duo of Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat and they made a languid start to proceedings. Opener Imran Nazir struggled alongside Imran Farhat and was dismissed for two from 15 balls.

Farhat threatened to get away but, when he chased a quick single, the strong arm of Kevin Pietersen dislodged him as he was run out for 14 from 13 deliveries.

Khalid Latif (four) soon followed and Umar Akmal (13) was caught superbly by Stuart Broad off the bowling of Graeme Swann.

Captain Shaoib Malik (33) chipped weakly to Paul Collingwood from Swann as he steadied their middle order with Fawad Alam. However, Alam (23) edged the ball to Prior as Broad once again took charge.

It was Broad's catching that caught the eye as well. He snaffled danger-man Abdul Razzaq (22) and Sarfraz Ahmed (five) from Tim Bresnan's fourth over.

Pakistan toiled to 129-8 at the end of their 20 overs but England threatened to make hard work of their run-chase by losing three quick wickets at the start of their innings.

Joe Denly (one), Jonathan Trott (four) and captain Collingwood (none) offered Pakistan hope as they laboured to 18-3.

However, Pietersen and Morgan stood tall to put on a record Twenty20 stand of 112 to see England across the line.

Pietersen (43 runs from 43 balls) played magnificently but it was Morgan who certainly caught the eye. He scored a majestic 67 from just 51 deliveries that included seven fours and two sixes as he caught the eye once again.

He wrapped up the win launching Umar Gul, the world's best Twenty20 bowler, into the stands for a six with nine balls spare.

Morgan, who impressed in the shortened version of the game in South Africa ahead of the recent Test series, has certainly solidified his place in Collingwood's side.

The two teams will meet in Dubai on Saturday and Pakistan are likely to welcome Shahid Afridi back into the team with his two-game suspension for ball tampering now served.