Kevin Pietersen has called on Alastair Cook to relinquish England's one-day international captaincy following the team's latest defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka this morning.

Cook contributed just 22 runs as England were bowled out for 185 in Colombo, with the home side reaching their victory target with 64 deliveries to spare.

The result means that England have lost five of their previous six one-day matches, which has resulted in Pietersen urging Cook to step down from the position.

"Dear Alastair, if you care about England's chances this winter, pls resign and just concentrate on Test cricket," the former England batsman wrote on Twitter.

Cook has scored just one half-century in his last 18 one-day international innings.