"It's an amazing feeling. I hope it's the start of something for me." Grinning @alexhales1 after first ODI ton. https://t.co/zwDQEjMVPh
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 13, 2015
Alex Hales now wants to kick on in one-day international cricket after his maiden century inspired England to a series-levelling victory in Abu Dhabi.
The 26-year-old, whose previous-best was 67, has waited 22 matches to register three figures for his country in the 50-over format.
The Nottinghamshire batsman told ecb.co.uk: “It is an amazing feeling. As a top-order batter I would have liked it to come earlier in my career, it has been 20-odd games now, but hopefully it is the start of something for me.”
Hales struck 109 off 117 balls to ensure England could post 283 for five, a total that was 95 runs too many for Pakistan to leave the series locked at 1-1 heading into Tuesday's third match in Sharjah.
“It is an incredible feeling, we have kept the series alive,” Hales added. “We knew it was a big game heading into it and we knew we had to win to have a chance of winning the series. We have managed to do that.”
Led by Hales, England produced a much improved performance following their defeat in the series opener two days ago.
Having slipped to 14 for three then, the tourists had no such problems at the top of the order today as Hales shared stands of 102 and 114 with half-centurions Jason Roy and Joe Root.
“We have spoken as a top three about giving yourself a bit more of a chance, in this part of the world your first 15-20 balls can be quite tough,” Hales said.
“Once you get used to that and overcome that, scoring comes naturally. It is something we missed out in the first game as a top three was those big scores.
“The way Jase played, from the first over, was outstanding and then Rooty coming in and doing what he does all the time.”
Roy, dismissed second ball on Wednesday, responded with a 54 that contained eight classy fours, including a reverse-sweep off Yasir Shah's third delivery.
Hales is enjoying his opening partnership with the Surrey batsman, adding: “He is a great lad, he is one of my great friends.
Man of the match @alexhales1 after his first ODI century led England to victory tonight #getinthere pic.twitter.com/iA8Ukliis6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 13, 2015
“To watch from the non-striker's end he is probably one of the best players at the top of the order I have played with, certainly in England.”
England's display with the bat was also backed up by the bowlers as Pakistan slipped to 50 for five in the 19th over.
David Willey and Chris Woakes triggered the collapse, the pair returning 3-25 and 4-33 respectively, while Reece Topley and Adil Rashid also performed well without the same reward.
“We did (feel 283 was enough),” Hales added. “We knew we had to start off really well, early wickets were always going to be key.
“Although it didn't come to it today, death bowling would also have been key. But we managed to do the damage early and not get to that stage.
“I think it was outstanding, the way David and Reece set the tone with the new ball and Woakesy came on and bowled really aggressively and picked up wickets. Also, Rash going at three an over is an outstanding effort.”