Morgan starred in a record fifth-wicket partnership with Collingwood

Eoin Morgan said he felt deeply proud after scoring a first Test century against Pakistan and paid tribute to team-mate Paul Collingwood.

The duo put on an unbroken stand of 213 as England reached 331-4 after day one of the opening Test at Trent Bridge.

"I impressed myself today and I'm really happy with my performance," Morgan (125 not out) told BBC Sport.

"I'd like to be with Paul in the trenches," he added. "He's a gutsy cricketer and a guy I admire."

Dublin-born Morgan has established himself as a star of England's one-day and Twenty20 side, but has a mediocre record in first-class cricket.

Scores of 44 and 37 against Bangladesh earlier this summer had done little to dispel doubts over ability to adapt his technique to the rigours of the five-day format.

606: DEBATE The more i see of Morgan, the more i wonder just how great he can be - he doesn't appear to have a weak area star_manic

But after coming in with England struggling on 118-4, he produced a batting masterclass at Trent Bridge, showing patience early in his innings before unleashing his full range of shots once he had established himself at the crease.

The Middlesex left-hander brought up his hundred with a stunning straight six off spinner Shoaib Malik.

"I played it on its merit," he said. "He gave it a bit of flight and guile and I took advantage. I was delighted to bring it up in that fashion."

Morgan survived two scares in his innings, the first when an edge dropped just short of the wicketkeeper and the second when he was given out lbw on 78 but earned a reprieve after a successful referral to the third umpire.

Despite the incident, Morgan said he was still undecided on the merits of the Decision Review System, which is being used for the first time in a Test in England.

"I'm on the fence," he said. "It's my first game using it, I didn't see any problems with it today. But there are going to be days when it doesn't go in your favour."

The partnership between Collingwood and Morgan - a record for England's fifth wicket against Pakistan - came on a pitch which offered plenty of assistance to both seamers and spin bowlers and will have England's attack licking their lips.

"It's a dry pitch and it's starting to deteriorate so the more runs we get on the board the better position we'll be in," said Morgan.

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