Kevin Pietersen laid the platform for a commanding 39-run victory over his native South Africa as England took a giant stride toward the World Twenty20 semi-finals in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday.
Pietersen’s high-class 53 was at the heart of England’s 168 for seven against the land of his birth at the Kensington Oval.
The star batsman, named man-of-the-match for the second time in as many fixtures after his unbeaten 73 in a six-wicket Super Eights win over defending champions Pakistan on Thursday, then revealed he was leaving the Caribbean to be with wife Jessica, who is expecting the couple’s first child.
PHOTO: AFP
However, Pietersen said he hoped to return from London to the West Indies should England qualify for the semi-finals.
“I’m flying back to London in the next 24 hours and hoping everything goes well and according to plan, there’s no complications,” Pietersen told Sky Sports.
Pietersen, whose innings helped put England in sight of a last four spot, has struggled with both form and fitness at international level for over a year, with a right Achilles injury ruling him out of the majority of last year’s Ashes series win over Australia.
■PAKISTAN VS N ZEALAND
AFP, BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS
Defending champions Pakistan were on the brink of elimination from the World Twenty20 after losing to New Zealand by just one run in a last-ball thriller on Saturday.
Recalled New Zealand fast bowler Ian Butler, entrusted with the last over, took an impressive three wickets for 19 runs as opener Salman Butt, who finished on 67 not out, so nearly saw Pakistan home after a top-order collapse.
Pakistan, chasing 134 to win, finished on 132 for seven in reply to the 133 for seven New Zealand made after losing the toss.
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