Bell backs Pietersen to end poor form

(GETTY IMAGES)

Ian Bell has backed Kevin Pietersen to end his poor recent run in Bangladesh with the help of his team-mates.

Pietersen has looked a shadow of his dominant best ahead of Friday's first Test, compiling just 69 runs in seven knocks on tour.

He also struggled to score the weight of runs he would have wanted on the winter trip to his native South Africa and, for the first time in his international career, serious concerns have been raised over his form.

Bell can sympathise with Pietersen's recent struggles having endured such scrutiny many times over the course of his England career.

But, with the help of a supportive team behind him, he played a starring role against the Proteas and has now backed Pietersen to benefit from that unity.

"It's difficult to say what KP is thinking exactly but I know the dressing room were very important for me," he said.

"I know what it's like, it's a difficult place to be. But when you have the dressing room behind you there's a much easier way through than when you're on your own.

"Out in South Africa Andrew Strauss was absolutely fantastic for me - the way he spoke to me, the way he backed me.

"The dressing room is exactly the same for Kevin now and I know he is working as hard as he can.

"Watching him over the last few days, he's been in the nets as much as he can and he's desperate to get out there and we're right behind him all the way."